A Bahraini anti-government protester holds stones as he waits to confront approaching riot police during clashes after police dispersed a march through narrow market streets of the capital of Manama, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. Riot police in Bahrain fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital of the restive Gulf kingdom and arrested several people. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Clashes hit Bahrain’s capital

Sectarian conflict » Shiite majority steps up campaign for a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled nation.

By REEM KHALIFA

| The Associated Press

First Published Oct 12 2012 12:40 pm • Last Updated Oct 12 2012 12:41 pm

Manama, Bahrain • Riot police in Bahrain fired tear gas and stun grenades in clashes with hundreds of anti-government protesters in the capital of the restive Gulf kingdom.

Associated Press journalists witnessed several arrests as security forces moved against protesters, led by the daughter of jailed opposition leader Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Many protesters chanted for the release of another imprisoned activist, human rights monitor Nabeel Rajab.

The unrest in the capital, Manama, contrasted with a simultaneous, larger peaceful protest march on the capital’s outskirts, which was permitted by the government.

Bahrain has been hit by near nonstop tensions since February 2011 when the country’s Shiite majority stepped up its campaign for a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled nation.

More than 50 people have died in the unrest.

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