REUTERS: Shots were heard near the protest by around 200 Shi'ites in the town of Qatif in Eastern Province, home to some of the world's largest oil fields and a large Shi'ite minority.
The clampdown was a sign that the Saudi government was serious about enforcing a ban on protests called for Friday by Internet activists emboldened by protests that toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia before spreading to the Gulf.
"There was firing, it was sporadic," one witness said, adding that the sound of gunfire was interspersed with the noise from stun grenades.
A spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry said police fired over the heads of the crowd after they attacked a police officer who was documenting the protest, and said two protesters and a police officer were injured. >>> Ulf Laessing and Cynthia Johnston RIYADH | Thursday, March 10, 2011
REUTERS: U.S. says aware of reports of shots in Saudi Arabia: The White House said on Thursday it was aware of reports that shots had been fired during a protest in Saudi Arabia and that the United States would continue to monitor that situation. >>> WASHINGTON | Thursday, March 10, 2011
THE GUARDIAN: Saudi police open fire on pro-democracy protesters: Government officials had warned strong action would be taken against protests calling for democratic reforms >>> Staff and agencies | Thursday, March 10, 2011
THE AUSTRALIAN: Dow tumbles below 12,000 mark after Saudi police fired on protesters >>> Brendan Conway | Dow Jones Newswires | Friday, March 11, 2011
BAHRAIN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS: Bahrain Urgently Recruits More Mercenaries Amidst Political Crisis: Bahrain is continuing to hire hundreds of former soldiers from Pakistan to serve in its National Guard, even as pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain demand an end to the government’s controversial practice of recruiting foreigners in to the security forces. >>> | Friday, March 11, 2011
