Bahraini police on Thursday arrested at least five opposition leaders in dawn raids, a day after a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, world media said.
At least three civilians and three policemen were killed as security forces drove the protests led by the Shia majority out of the center of the capital Manama on Wednesday.
An overnight curfew was imposed on some parts of the country, and protests were banned following the violence. King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa also declared a three-month state of emergency.
The protesters are calling for a constitutional monarchy, the resignation of the government and more civil rights. Some groups demand that the King step down and a republic be created.
Saudi Arabian troops entered Bahrain on Monday to help quell the protests.
MOSCOW, March 17 (RIA Novosti)
