Bahrain's king imposes martial law: Pro-democracy protesters 'kill Saudi soldier'

Martial law was imposed in Bahrain today amid reports that a Saudi soldier had been shot dead by pro-democracy protesters.

King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ordered a three-month state of emergency in the Gulf state and authorised the military to take "all necessary measures" to maintain order.

The Sunni rulers have been faced with a month of Shia protests and yesterday called troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to help quell increasingly-violent clashes.

A security official in Saudi Arabia said today that a soldier, identified as Sergeant Ahmed al-Raddadi, had been shot and killed by a protester in the capital Manama.

Tensions in the Gulf were already escalating after Iran condemned the decision to bring in forces from neighbouring states. Tehran said the arrival of around 1,500 troops was "unacceptable".
Bahrain TV said the king "authorised the commander of the state's defence forces to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the country and its citizens". Hours before the announcement, the capital was in lockdown with stores and schools shuttered and main roads blocked by police.

Britain has urged restraint from all sides with David Cameron suggesting that rulers respond with "reform rather than repression".

The UK's embassy in Bahrain has closed until further notice and all Britons have been advised against travelling to the island nation.

Bahrain has been gripped by its worst unrest since the Nineties after protesters took to the streets last month, inspired by uprisings that toppled the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.

Dozens were injured on Sunday as protesters pushed back police and barricaded roads.

Bahrain's largest Shia Muslim party wants a new government and a constitutional monarchy that hands judicial and executive authority to the people. More hard-line groups want the overthrow of the monarchy.