Opposition supporters rally in Bahrain despite ban

Manama: Demonstrators are gathering at the
headquarters of Bahrain`s main opposition party in the island
nation`s capital despite a government ban.

The Saturday protest in front of Al Wefaq`s offices in
Manama is a show of defiance by the party, the main backer of
the Shiite majority`s campaign to be granted greater rights
and freedoms by Bahrain`s Sunni dynasty.

Thousands of demonstrators waved Bahraini flags and
changed slogans amid a massive security presence.

Bahrain`s 10 month-old uprising sees daily clashes between
demonstrators and security forces, but Al Wefaq usually
refrains from organizing protests unless given a permit.

At least 40 people have died since the unrest began in
February.

PTI