Police Clash With Shi'ites Near Capital

Bahraini police and Shi'ite marchers clashed during a religious festival late on Sunday, Reuters reports.

Opposition sources and locals said police used tear gas, rubber bullets, sound grenades and birdshot to break up marches in several Shi'ite villages near the capital of Manama.

Several people were reported wounded and a number of houses were said to be set ablaze.

A government official played down the episode, saying there were only a few small incidents.