Mass march urges reforms in Bahrain

MANAMA (Reuters) - Tens of thousands have marched in one of Bahrain's largest opposition demonstrations
to demand democratic reforms in the pro-Western Gulf Arab state.

Friday's peaceful march, called by the Shi'ite-led opposition, follows unsuccessful talks with the government on
constitutional reforms to give greater powers to parliament's elected assembly, which is on an equal footing with a
state-appointed chamber.

Bahrain, the Gulf's banking hub and home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, has introduced some reforms, but the
opposition, led by the country's majority Shi'ite Muslims, want more rights in the small Sunni-ruled island state.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashed bin Abdullah al-Khalifa called for legal action against organisers for holding the
march despite being refused a permit, the state news agency BNA said.

Sheikh Rashed said his ministry did not issue the permit due to regional "tension and security threats". He did
not elaborate.

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Yeee haaa! Let freedom reign! Hell yes.

Don