Saudi Police Open Fire To Scatter Protesters - Sky News

6:49am UK, Friday March 11, 2011

Gary Mitchell, Sky News Online

Saudi police have opened fire to disperse protesters and three people have been injured in the city of Qatif, according to reports.

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It comes as authorities crack down on demonstrations – which are rare in the country – to prevent the kingdom being swamped by the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world.

Further protests are said to be planned on Friday and could shake the world's markets because of the importance of Saudi oil exports, as the crisis in oil-rich Libya deepens.

The Saudi government said police only fired into the air.

Witnesses reported seeing riot police and special forces with batons and tear gas canisters, mainly around shopping areas and main roads.

One resident said that as well as opening fire, causing groups of protesters to scatter, authorities beat some protesters with clubs.

Relations have been sour for some time between authorities and the country's minority Shi'ites, who count for about 10% of the population and make up the majority of the protesters.

They have long complained of discrimination, saying they are barred from key positions in the military and government and are not given an equal share of the country's wealth.