BANI JAMRA, Bahrain: Bahraini Shiites chant anti-Israeli slogans as they wave Palestinian and Bahraini flags west of the capital of Manama yesterday, defying a government ban on protests. — AP

DUBAI: Bahrain rejected requests by several groups to organise a pro-Gaza march yesterday, after a protest ban announced last month, but instead allowed sit-ins in office buildings, the interior ministry said. “Several political associations asked that they be allowed to organise a march to the UN offices in Manama this afternoon (Sunday) under the slogan ‘Save Gaza’,” a ministry statement received by AFP said.

Bahrain’s interior ministry “told the organisers that their requests for a march have been rejected in order to preserve security in implementation of the decision to ban demonstrations and gatherings,” it said. Instead, it “suggested holding solidarity sit-ins in the headquarters” of these groups, it said. Late last month, Bahrain banned all protests and gatherings to ensure “security is maintained,” after clashes between Shiite-led demonstrators and security forces in the Sunni-ruled country. — AFP

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