The ban came after the resumption of Shi'ite protests in the
oil-producing region of Saudi Arabia. Officials said the Shi'ite
demonstrations were sparked by Iran and sought to follow that of the unrest
in neighboring Bahrain.
"Security forces will use all measures to prevent any attempt to
disrupt public order," the ministry said on March 5.
On March 4, Saudi Shi'ites staged two demonstrations. The protests,
which
contained more than 100 people each, were held in Hofuf and Qatif. Earlier,
another protest took place in Awamiya, next to Qatif.
The demonstrators called for the release of Shi'ite prisoners,
including a prominent cleric, said to have been held without charges. There
were no reports of arrests.
King Abdullah has also feared unrest by the Sunni minority amid the Arab
revolt throughout the Middle East. In February, Abdullah vowed to
distribute $37 billion to Saudi nationals.
The Interior Ministry said demonstrations against the kingdom violated
Islamic law as well as Saudi tradition. The ministry did not elaborate.
ShareThis
