Al Jazeera: Protests Hit Saudi Arabia

Injuries as protests hit Saudi city

At least three people have been injured after police in Saudi Arabia fired in the air to disperse protesters in the eastern oil-rich city of Qatif.

The injuries came on the eve of a so-called “Day of Rage” planned in the country for Friday.

Mansur al-Turki, a spokesman for the Saudi interior ministry, said shots were fired on Thursday over the heads of the protesters after they attacked a police officer who was documenting the protest.

Around 600-800 protesters, all Shia and including women, took to the streets of Qatif to demand the release of nine Shia prisoners, said a witness, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Qatif has a large Shia community although Saudi Arabia is a Sunni-dominated kingdom.

The shooting continued for about 10 minutes and around 200 policemen were present, the witness said.

“As the procession in the heart of the city was about to finish, soldiers started shooting at the protesters, and three of them were wounded,” the witness added. . .

. . . . . Friday protests have been planned in other Gulf countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Bahrain. The time after Friday prayers has proved to be crucial in popular uprisings that have brought down Tunisian and Egyptian rulers who once seemed invulnerable. . . . . . (more)

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011311542442538.html