UN chief concerned over Bahrain clashes

UN Secretary - General Ban Ki-moon has said he is concerned over reported clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Bahrain in recent days, the Associated Press reports.

While the majority of Bahrainis are Shiite, member of the royal family are Sunni Muslims.

Bahraini Shiites took to the streets to demand political reforms that could curb the extensive powers of King Hamad.

Bahraini security forces have launched a crackdown on demonstrators.

In March of 2011, without permission from the UN, troops arrived in Bahrain from neighboring Saudi Arabia and the UAE to support the regime.

(RBK)