“Continued violence in Bahrain is unacceptable,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian told FNA on Saturday.

Stressing that continued suppression and violence will further complicate the situation in Bahrain, he said, “The continued presence of foreign law enforcement forces in Bahrain and (Manama’s) noncompliance with effective national talks will undermine people’s trust.”

Amir Abdollahian underlined the necessity for a political and peaceful settlement of the crisis in Bahrain, and said, “The continued status quo will not help to the security of Bahrain and the region.”

Bahraini security forces clashed with anti-regime protesters early Friday, leaving several people wounded, witnesses said.

Hundreds took part in protests that erupted late Thursday and lasted until the early hours of Friday across several Shiite villages after a call was issued by the opposition February 14 Coalition youth group, witnesses and activists said.

“We will remove you (King) Hamad,” was the banner slogan issued by the opposition group to rally protesters against the monarch.

Police fired birdshots to disperse the protesters, witnesses said, while the interior ministry said that “security forces confronted a group of protestors in Diraz” village near Manama which left a policeman wounded after he was shot with a home-made gun.

Activists said dozens more were wounded in the clashes, but no official toll was immediately available.

At least 80 people have been killed in Bahrain since the protests erupted, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.