Bahrain crown prince confronted by protesters

[April 18, 2012]  MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) -- Witnesses say dozens of people have confronted Bahrain's crown prince and shouted anti-government slogans in a neighborhood that has been an opposition stronghold during the Gulf kingdom's 14-month uprising.

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was not injured in Wednesday's outburst, but it carried powerful symbolism because he is a key backer of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix.

The race was canceled last year because of unrest. Demonstrators have expressed anger over its return.

The crown prince was surrounded as he left a funeral of a Shiite executive who worked on one of his labor reform projects.

The ceremony was in Sanabis, the site of frequent clashes between security forces and Shiite protesters seeking to break Sunni dynasty's tight grip on power.

[Associated Press]

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