Source: RFE/RL
Tens of thousands of mainly Shi'a have joined a march in Bahrain to denounce proposals for closer unity between the Sunni-ruled kingdom and neighboring Saudi Arabia. Protesters chanted "Bahrain is not for sale," as they marched outside the capital, Manama.
Protests have also been held in Iran. Photo shows a protest rally by a group of International students in Tehran
Sunni Gulf Arab leaders earlier this week delayed any decision on the plan.
In predominantly Shi'ite Iran, state-run media said thousands of people also took part in protests denouncing the proposed union.
An influential cleric, Ayatollah Kazem Sediqi, in a sermon broadcast live denounced the plan as an "ill-fated plot."
Persian Gulf countries
Bahrain has seen intermittent protests led by its Shi'ite majority for more than a year, demanding that the ruling royal family improve human rights and make political reforms.
Iran has repeatedly voiced support for the protests.
Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
Copyright (c) 2012 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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