MANAMA: Pro-democracy protesters poured into Bahrain’s central business district Monday as reports said Saudi forces were preparing to help the government restore order in the strategic Gulf kingdom.
The Financial Harbor business complex was blocked off by protesters a day after more than 200 people were injured there in clashes between riot police and demonstrators, residents said.
It was the worst day of violence in the tiny Gulf kingdom since seven people were killed at the start of anti-regime unrest in mid-February.
Bahrain — home of the US Fifth Fleet — has become a regional financial hub as it seeks to diversify its economy away from dependence on diminishing oil revenues.
Thousands of demonstrators poured into the banking district — a symbol of wealth and privilege — and police appeared to have deserted the area, witnesses said. An unidentified military helicopter hovered in the sky.
Opposition parliamentarian Ali Al-Aswad said a government official had informed MPs that Saudi security forces had been invited into the city to help quell the unrest.
Bahrain is joined to Saudi Arabia by a causeway across the Gulf.
"A government source told us during the night that the issue is serious and a decision (to invite foreign forces) has been taken," he told AFP.
He said the opposition would resist any such intervention as a foreign invasion.
"If Gulf forces enter Bahrain the people of Bahrain will deal with them as if they were occupation forces. We won’t allow any foreign interference, either regional or Arab in Bahrain," he said.
Britain’s Foreign Office cited reports that the Saudi National Guard will enter Bahrain as it urged Britons to avoid all travel to the mainly Shia archipelago, where the Sunni monarchy is under mounting pressure to reform.
"The risk of further outbreaks of violence has increased," it said in the note issued late Sunday.
The website of Bahrain’s Alyam newspaper, which is close to the Al-Khalifa royal family, said forces from the six-state Gulf Cooperation Council were expected to enter Bahrain to help boost security.
Witnesses said Shia-led protesters continued to hold a sit-in at Pearl Square just outside the financial district, while others were blocking the main highway leading to the business district.
Most workers seemed to be following a trade union call for a general strike to protest violence by the security forces.
Crown Prince Salman late Sunday reiterated the government’s offer of national dialogue on deep-rooted reforms but not at the expense of security and stability, state news agency BNA reported.
In a major concession to the opposition demands, the prince supported the creation of a parliament with full powers and pledged to tackle corruption and sectarian tensions.
But he warned that "legitimate demands should not be carried out at the price of security and stability."
The United States condemned the violence, amid claims — dismissed as lies by the government — that armed pro-regime thugs are intimidating students and opposition activists.
"We urge the government of Bahrain to pursue a peaceful and meaningful dialogue with the opposition rather than resorting to the use of force," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
King Hamad also reiterated an offer of dialogue with the main opposition groups, which have refused to negotiate until the government resigns and dissidents are released from jail.
The mainstream opposition says it is not trying to overthrow the royal family but more radical Shia elements have said they want to end the dynasty that has ruled the country for more than 200 years.
Australia also strongly advised its citizens Monday not to travel to Bahrain, "due to the unpredictable security situation and threat of terrorist attack."
