Bahrain uprising anniversary stifled

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MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A heavy police presence in Bahrain's capital city of Manama Tuesday stifled any celebration of the one-year anniversary of the popular uprising, activists said.

Youths throwing stones at police were beaten back by rubber bullets and tear gas, the BBC reported, on an otherwise quiet anniversary. Video of the protests an the violent response was posted on the Internet, the British broadcaster said.

The Pearl Roundabout, the focus of the protests, has since been demolished and replaced with a new road junction after police violently ousted protesters last year. Opposition activists have called for marches around the site.

Road closures and arrests have kept demonstrations at bay, while police in riot gear used tear gas to break up demonstrations in outer lying villages.