Riot police attacked, Bahrain says

MANAMA, Bahrain, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Demonstrators threw gasoline bombs at riot police in Bahrain, though security forces were eventually restored order, a security official said.

Police and military forces took control over downtown Manama as demonstrators called for mass protests to mark the first anniversary of a Shiite uprising against the minority Sunni monarchy.

Human rights groups from the United States and Bahrain said at least two dozen protesters, including six U.S. citizens, were arrested during the demonstrations, the BBC reports.

Maj. Gen. Tariq al-Hassan, Bahrain's chief of public security, said there were acts of violence in parts of the country but security forces restored order quickly.

Rioters blocked key roads and attacked when police tried to intervene, he was quoted by the official Bahrain News Agency as saying.

"Groups of attackers hurled petrol bombs, iron rods and rocks," he said. "The police accordingly dispersed the crowds in order to restore civil order."

Bahrain was criticized for its response to last year's uprising and an independent commission determined security forces used excessive force.

Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Washington called on Manama to embrace political reforms.

"Bahrain is a longstanding partner and a valued partner of the United States and we are committed to supporting its efforts to meet the legitimate aspirations of all of its citizens," she said during her regular briefing.