Bahraini Crown Prince orders military to withdraw

MANAMA: Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Saturday ordered the withdrawal of all military from the streets of Bahrain with immediate effect, a government statement said.

Parts of the Arab world in North Africa have been thrown into chaos amid massive widespread protests against their governments, resulting in revolutions in Tunisia and most recently in Egypt.

Protests in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen have in recent days claimed a combined total of more than 100 lives and injured many more, while more than 600 others have been killed in protests in other countries such as Egypt.

On Friday, the Bahraini military allegedly used helicopters and opened fire on unarmed anti-government protesters in the capital of Manama. Despite numerous witnesses reports and video footage, the country's Interior Ministry has denied the reports.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday spoke by telephone with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and "reiterated his condemnation of the violence used against peaceful protesters," the White House said, adding that Obama had urged the government of Bahrain to show restraint and hold those responsible for the violence accountable.

On Saturday, tanks and other military vehicles left the Pearl Roundabout in Manama after the Crown Prince: who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces: had ordered troops to withdraw from the streets. "The Bahrain police force will continue to oversee law and order," a government statement said.

(BNO NEWS )