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Fresh protests erupt in Saudi Arabia

18 March 2011 03:17 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Fresh protests erupt in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region of Qatif as government dispatches tanks to the troubled areas and protesters reiterate calls for political reform and release of prisoners, APA reports quoting Press TV.

Thousands of protestors, angry at the Saudi occupation of Bahrain and the systematic violence directed at the Bahraini people, called for the withdrawal of all Saudi forces from Bahrain.

Demonstrations took place in Safwa, Tarout, Saihat and Qatif on Thursday, where demonstrators raised the Bahraini flag. They also called for the release of political prisoners in Saudi Arabia who are held for long periods without trial.

They also called for a million-man-march for Friday, Reuters reported.

Saudi Shias rallied to show solidarity with their fellow Shias in Bahrain, witnesses said.

Police fired live rounds to disperse the more than 4,000 protesters in Qatif, witnesses said, adding that they have seen tens of tanks on their way to Qatif.

Anti-government protests have recently flared up in Saudi Arabia, despite a state ban on demonstrations in the kingdom. Riyadh has stepped up its crackdown on anti-government protests in response.

Saudi Arabia’s minority Shias complain of discrimination, saying they often struggle to get senior government jobs and benefits available to other citizens. The Saudi government denies the charges.