Riot police confront protesters on an overpass near the Pearl roundabout in Bahrain Photo: REX FEATURES
The three month state of emergency comes a day after more than 1,000 Saudi troops and 500 United Arab Emirates police officers were deployed in Bahrain following a request for assistance made by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
Bahrain called for help after thousands of protesters spilt out on to its streets over the weekend, setting off the first major clashes since February 17. Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, Bahrain's crown prince, offered opposition groups a dialogue after the clashes, but his offer was rejected.
Saudi Arabian authorities confirmed that a sergeant in its forces was shot dead when a gunman opened fire from within a crowd protesting against the deployment of its troops.
Bahrain's interior ministry said a police officer was deliberately run down by a protester in the country's south, but did not make further details available. Dozens of plainclothes police officers deployed in the mainly-Shia Sitra neighbourhood were beaten, authorities said.
Local residents said at least one protester was also killed with clashes with police in Sitra, while rival Shia and Sunni vigilante groups armed with metal pipes and clubs fanned out across Bahrain's shuttered streets.
Bahrain's western allies have been eyeing developments in the Emirate – home to the US 5th fleet, and a key regional security partner for Nato – with growing concern.
In London, a Foreign Office spokesman called on authorities to "avoid the use of excessive force and on all parties to exercise restraint", while in Washington, the White House warned there was "no military solution" to the political upheaval taking place in the country. The US has sent Jeffrey Feltman, assistant secretary of state, to Bahrain to encourage talks between the government and the opposition.
Protesters wearing white, symbolising their willingness to die as martyrs, also surrounded the Saudi embassy in Bahrain, shouting slogans demanding the abdication of King Hamad.
Bahrain's Shia majority has been demanding democratic reforms, saying that it is under-represented in government and denied economic opportunities. Shia opposition groups also claim the monarchy has been resettling Iraqi and Jordanian Sunni Muslims in an effort to alter the demographic balance.
Iran, a Shia majority country, described the deployment of Saudi troops as unacceptable.
Rain Mehmanparast, a foreign ministry spokesman, said: "Basically, we do not think it is right for forces of other countries, especially Persian Gulf countries, to be present or intervene in Bahrain's situation."
Mr Mehmanparast said that the demands of the protesters "are legitimate are being expressed peacefully. Any violence in response to these legitimate demands should be stopped."
Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iran after Mr Mehmanparast made his remarks, which were made even as hundreds of riot police were deployed in Tehran to stop protests by the democratic opposition in that country called for Tuesday.
In London, a Foreign Office spokesman called on authorities to "avoid the use of excessive force and on all parties to exercise restraint", while in Washington, the White House warned there was "no military solution" to the political upheaval taking place in the country. The US has sent Jeffrey Feltman, assistant secretary of state, to Bahrain to encourage talks between the government and the opposition.
Protesters wearing white, symbolising their willingness to die as martyrs, also surrounded the Saudi embassy in Bahrain, shouting slogans demanding the abdication of King Hamad.
Bahrain's Shia majority has been demanding democratic reforms, saying that it is under-represented in government and denied economic opportunities. Shia opposition groups also claim the monarchy has been resettling Iraqi and Jordanian Sunni Muslims in an effort to alter the demographic balance.
Iran, a Shia majority country, described the deployment of Saudi troops as unacceptable.
Rain Mehmanparast, a foreign ministry spokesman, said: "Basically, we do not think it is right for forces of other countries, especially Persian Gulf countries, to be present or intervene in Bahrain's situation."
Mr Mehmanparast said that the demands of the protesters "are legitimate are being expressed peacefully. Any violence in response to these legitimate demands should be stopped."
Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iran after Mr Mehmanparast made his remarks, which were made even as hundreds of riot police were deployed in Tehran to stop protests by the democratic opposition in that country called for Tuesday.
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