Bahrain declares state of emergency

MANAMA, Bahrain, March 15 (UPI) -- Bahrain's king declared a three-month state of emergency Tuesday in the face of a month of unrest as protesters converged on the capital.

The announcement by King Hamed ibn Isa was seen as amounting to a declaration of martial law after hundreds of troops and police from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered Bahrain with the support of the government after worsening violence plagued the capital Manama in recent days, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The king declared the state of emergency "in light of the latest security escalations" and had instructed the commander in chief of Bahrain's military to take "the necessary measures in order to implement the decree," Barhrain's official news agency said.

Bahrain has been hits by waves of protests by the nation's Shiite Muslim majority, who complain of unfair treatment at the hands of the Sunni-dominated government.

Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Atiya, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said the use of other countries' troops was in line with the Common Defense Agreement signed by the member states.

"GCC countries have taken the decision out of their commitment to safeguarding the kingdom's security, as well the safety of its citizens and residents," he said.