Two policemen injured in clash with protesters

Manama: Bahraini police and anti-government protesters clashed in a number of Shiite districts on Thursday night and the interior ministry said two policemen had been seriously injured in a petrol bomb attack.

Riot police have maintained a heavier presence than usual in areas populated by Shiites to prevent mass protests on the anniversary of last February's pro-democracy protests.

In the district of Sar, police fired volleys of stun grenades and tear gas to break up groups of teenagers, who threw stones and petrol bombs. It was not clear who started the clash.

Some residents raised anti-government slogans from inside their homes or from rooftops.

Police said homemade bombs containing nails had been thrown at them. In the nearby village of Bani Jamra police said they had defused an improvised explosive device left on wasteland.

They fired rounds of tear gas into an adjoining cemetery where youths were hiding.

An interior ministry statement said two policemen were seriously injured in a petrol bomb attack on their patrol vehicle on Wednesday night in the town of Sitra. Residents say at least 15 people were later arrested that night.