Clashes ahead of Bahrain Formula One race

April 21, 2013 14:00

Bahraini protesters blocked roads and clashed with police at dawn today, only hours ahead of the Gulf state's Formula One Grand Prix, but the authorities said the race would go ahead without incident.

Masked youths demonstrating against the staging of the race set alight tyres on roads in villages populated by Shiite Muslims just outside Manama, according to witnesses.

But access was still open to the Sakhir circuit, south of the Bahraini capital.

Overnight, police fired tear gas in order to disperse demonstrators protesting in several Shiite-populated villages, chanting against the "race of blood," witnesses reported.

Shiite-led protests have intensified against Bahrain's Sunni rulers in the lead-up to this weekend's Grand Prix, a flagship event that has been dogged by controversy.

Bahrain's public security chief, Major General Tariq Hassan, spoke of stepped up measures to ensure a smooth race.

"Police are out in force to beef up security measures at the Bahrain International Circuit", he said in a statement.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Recipes: Make Your Own Ghar Ka Masalas

Homemade is best. Safe. Pure. Tasty.

Have every bat that I scored an international ton with: Ponting

Ricky Ponting was not just into amassing hundreds in his heydays as a player, the two-time World Cup winning former Australia captain has revealed that he also meticulously collected every bat with which he scored an international ton,...

Bollywood's Best Way To Cool Down

A dip in the pool, of course!

Dravid, Tharoor, Kumble Cast Votes

Celebs and commoners cast their votes in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election on Friday, April 26, 2024

Upbeat Delhi Capitals take on struggling Mumbai Indians

An upbeat Delhi Capitals will look to keep the winning momentum going against an inconsistent Mumbai Indians when the two sides square off in the IPL in New Delhi on Saturday.