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Thousands of Shiites in Bahrain demonstrate for government’s resignation

Two died in the clashes

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

AL-KUWAIT, December 31 (Itar-Tass) —— Thousands of Bahrain’s Shiite Muslims demonstrated on Friday in support for the demand for the government’s resignation. They walked about six kilometers along the streets in the northern part of the country’s capital Manama.

The demonstrators also demanded putting on trial police responsible for the death of more than 30 participants in anti-government protests in February and March this year.

Unrest in the insular kingdom in the Persian Gulf began in the middle of February. The Shiite majority demanded the Sunni leadership should carry out democratic reforms and equal rights with the Sunnis.

The situation in Bahrain returned to stability at the end of March, when Saudi tanks and 1,000 troops from the military contingent Peninsula Shield were moved to the country. Some 500 UAE police and two Kuwaiti coast guard boats arrived in Bahrain at about the same time.

In December, Shiite protests resumed in villages west of Manama. Police attacked the demonstrators with water cannon, tear gas and shock grenades. Two died in the clashes.

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