Bahrain's main Shi'ite opposition group says the government must resign and the military must withdraw from the streets, as a wave of political protests spreads across the Middle East and North Africa.
Members of Bahrain's Wefaq bloc, which pulled out of parliament this week, made the demand Saturday in response to an offer by the royal family to stage a national dialogue to end anti-government protests. Witnesses say dozens of people were wounded Friday in a government crackdown on demonstrators in the capital, Manama.
In Libya, the activist group Human Rights Watch says at least 84 people have been killed in violence on anti-government protesters, based on reports from hospital workers and witnesses. The group says security forces killed at least 35 protesters in the city of Benghazi Friday.
At least one person was killed Friday in Yemen and 28 wounded after a car passenger threw a grenade at a crowd of anti-government demonstrators in the southwestern city of Taiz. The attack took place as demonstrators took part in a series of “day of rage” rallies across the country. Some witnesses blamed the government for the attack.
Protesters turned violent in Jordan as well, as government supporters clashed with demonstrators calling for political reforms. There are reports that at least eight people were injured when pro-government forces attacked the demonstrators with batons.
In Iran, thousands of pro-government demonstrators called for the execution of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi during prayer services in Tehran. The call came ahead of a small pro-government rally. Opposition websites have made calls for nationwide rallies Sunday to show support for Mousavi and Karroubi and to mourn the deaths of two people who died in this week's anti-government protests.
In Egypt, the ruling military said it would not allow strikes and protests weakening the country's economy. Tens of thousands of people packed Cairo's Tahrir Square Friday for a day of celebration marking one week since President Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Democracy supporters have been chanting and waving Egyptian flags during festivities that included music from a military marching band. Security is tight in Cairo.