Tens of thousands of of Bahrain's opposition supporters took to the streets of Manama on Tuesday calling for the government's dismissal in the largest rally in more than a week of protests. The protesters marched towards Pearl Square, the focal point of anti-regime protests, AFP said.
Those leading the protest carried a large banner reading, "The march of loyalty to martyrs", while a poster read in English, "No dialogue before the downfall of the ruling regime." The banner bore the images of seven protesters shot dead by security forces.
The rally was the first to be officially called for by political organizations since protests started on February 14.
Tuesday's rally comes after pro-government Sunnis rallied in their thousands at a Manama mosque on Monday evening pledging loyalty to the al-Khalifa family. It also comes a day after King Hamad bin Isaa al-Khalifa accepted a demand to release political prisoners and halting trial procedures against others.
