Bahrain braces for more protests

MANAMA, March 14 (AFP): Bahrain braced for more protests Monday as Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states reportedly prepared to send troops to help restore order in the strategic kingdom. The Financial Harbour business complex was blocked off by protesters a day after more than 200 people were injured there in clashes between riot police and demonstrators, residents said. It was the worst day of violence in the tiny Gulf kingdom since seven people were killed at the start of anti-regime unrest in mid-February. Britain's foreign office cited reports that the Saudi National Guard will enter Bahrain as it urged Britons to avoid all travel to the mainly Shiite archipelago, where the Sunni monarchy is under mounting pressure to reform. "The risk of further outbreaks of violence has increased," it said in the note issued late Sunday.