Thousands of Bahrainis gather at protest rally
Thousands of Bahrainis attended a rally for political reforms on Saturday in the Gulf Arab state which crushed a pro-democracy protest movement in March. Bahrain, where the Sunni Al-Khalifa family rules over a majority Shiite population, has accused activists of being sectarian and backed by Shiite power Iran. The opposition deny both charges.
The protest was announced in advance but did not receive government permission, opposition supporters said. It was held in the Shi'ite district of Saar, west of the capital. Police did not to stop up to to 10,000 people who came to the rally, many in cars, said a Reuters witness. Helicopters buzzed overhead. (Reuters)
