Several people were hurt in fighting between Sunni and majority Shia Muslims in a town in central Bahrain today in the first sectarian violence since protests began in the Sunni-ruled kingdom two weeks ago.
Protesters who are camped out in capital Manama want political reform and better access to government jobs for Shias, who have long complained of second class status and discrimination. The government denies this.
Today's fighting came hours after Bahraini opposition groups said they were ready to enter into talks with the government without pre-conditions, but have sent a letter to the crown prince saying they want a new government and constitution.
Hamad residents said a group of Shias fought with a group of Sunnis and Bahrainis of Syrian extraction. Only half of Bahrain's population of 1.2 million are native Bahrainis.
Fighting died down when police forces arrived, the residents said. Later there was a standoff between riot police and groups of Shias who rushed to the area from other parts of Bahrain.
"One man fell down and a large group came and beat him. There's still groups with sticks everywhere but fighting has largely stopped," a witness told Reuters. Newspaper reports said today several people were injured in the clashes.
"There were about a hundred people involved," one resident said.
Protests in Manama have been largely free of violence after police withdrew following an early crackdown that killed seven, and protesters have been careful to avoid sectarian confrontation, sticking to calls for national freedom and unity.
Popular revolts across the Arab world have seen changes of government in Tunisia and Egypt over the past few weeks.
The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that it took police about two hours to get the situation under control, with the help of local politicians and high-ranking government officials who calmed residents.
Reuters