Bahraini king to free activists

Bahraini king to free activists as unrest rages

By Nada Alwadi Special for USA TODAY

By Hasan Jamali, AP

Thousands of anti-government protesters jam the main highway into Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday.

MANAMA, Bahrain — Tens of thousands of people waved flags and flooded this tiny sheikdom's capital Tuesday as the king vowed to free political prisoners in his latest attempt to end an uprising.

A throng of people 3 miles long appeared to be the largest demonstration seen here since protests began eight days ago. "The people want the fall of the regime!" they chanted. Men, women and children poured into Pearl Square, the scene of a battle between police and protesters in which several people were killed.

"This rally is a historic event in Bahrain; it's an honest public sign that the people of Bahrain, Sunni and Shiite, are supporting the demands of the protesters for an elected government and the separation of the authorities," said Khalil Almarzooq, leading member of the Alwefaq opposition group. "The 'Pearl Revolution' intends to keep its glamour."

Helicopters hovered overhead, but security forces stayed away. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a decree to free several Shiite activists accused of plotting against the state, satisfying one demand of the protesters.

The protesters have thus far refused requests from the government for talks. Almarzooq said people want to know what issues will be discussed.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the U.S. welcomed the king's decision to release the prisoners and "initiate a meaningful dialogue with the full spectrum of Bahraini society."

"As we have said, these steps need to be followed by concrete actions and reform," she said.

The United States maintains close ties with Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in this nation of 525,000 people.

Last week, seven people were killed and many wounded when security forces used force to push out protesters from Pearl Square. The royal family said it was shocked by the violence and ordered the military to withdraw.

Earlier, thousands joined a funeral procession of a victim of the violence through the streets of Manama. Mourners chanted anti-government slogans, and dubbed the march the "Rally of the Martyrs."