Saudi Arabian police block protests in capital

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RIYADH, Mar 12 (AP): Several hundred people protested in at least four locations in Shi'ite-dominated eastern Saudi Arabia yesterday, but hundreds of police in the country's capital prevented rallies calling for democratic reforms. Police blocked roads and set up random checkpoints in Riyadh, searching residents and vehicles around a central mosque as large numbers of people gathered for Friday prayers, after Saudi activists set up online groups calling for protests in the capital. In the eastern city of Qatif and nearby areas where the country's minority Shi'ites live, several hundred protesters shouted slogans calling for reforms and equality between Shi'ites and Sunnis. Egypt Four top security officials were jailed on charges they had ordered police to shoot and kill protesters during the country's 18-day uprising that ousted longtime leader Hosni Mubarak, the government said yesterday. Rights activists welcomed the move as a step toward ending the culture of impunity in Egypt's massive security forces. Officials put the number of protesters killed during the uprising at 365, but human rights activists and others have said the figure is much higher.