Manama, Bahrain:
Police in Bahrain shot dead one person and wounded several others during protests in the capital Manama on Tuesday, Hezbollah's television channel Al Manar reported.
Officials at Bahrain's Salmaniya Medical Complex said a 31-year-old man, Fadhel Salman Matrook, became the second fatality when he died of injuries from gunfire during the melee in the hospital's parking lot.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.
Earlier thousands of protesters took over the capital's main square - carting in tents and raising banners - in an attempt to copy Egypt's uprising and force high-level changes in one of Washington's key allies in the Gulf.
The second day of turmoil began after police tried to disperse up to 10-thousand mourners gathering at a hospital parking lot to begin a funeral procession for Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima, 21, who died in Monday's marches.
Protesters chanted slogans mocking the nation's ruling sheiks and called for sweeping political reforms and an end to monarchy's grip on key decisions and government posts.
Al Manar footage showed hundreds of protestors running through the streets while gunshots could be clearly head and several people appeared to sustain injuries during the demonstrations.
The unrest in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, adds another layer to Washington's worries in the region.
Bahrain's capital of Manama is littered with Western-style malls and coffee shops, but like protests in Tunisia and Egypt that toppled regimes, many still boiled down their discontent to a cry for economic justice as well - saying the Sunni rulers control the privileges and opportunities and the Shiite majority struggles with what's left over.
Protesters renamed the seaside Pearl Square "Nation's Square" and erected banners such as "Peaceful" that were prominent in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
Many waved Bahraini flags and chanted: "No Sunnis, no Shiites. We are all Bahrainis."
There is no direct call to bring down the king, whose family has ruled Bahrain for more than two centuries but he is suddenly under unprecedented pressure to make serious changes in how the country is run.
The key demands - listed on posters erected in the square - included the release of all political prisoners, more jobs and housing, an elected Cabinet and the replacement of the long time prime minister, Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
In a clear sign of concern over the widening crisis, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa went on nationwide TV to offer condolences for the deaths.
"In light of the sporadic incidents that have taken place yesterday and today, where there was, with great regret, two deaths among our dear sons, we therefore extend our sincere condolences to their families praying to God the Almighty, to grant them endurance and consolation," he said.
The King promised to push ahead with promised reforms, which include loosening state controls on the media and internet.
"With regard to reform, as we always say and do, reform is a continuous process that will not stop." he added.
Bahrain is one of the most politically volatile nations in the Middle East's wealthiest corner despite having one of the few elected parliaments and some of the most robust civil society groups.
Officials at Bahrain's Salmaniya Medical Complex said a 31-year-old man, Fadhel Salman Matrook, became the second fatality when he died of injuries from gunfire during the melee in the hospital's parking lot.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.
Earlier thousands of protesters took over the capital's main square - carting in tents and raising banners - in an attempt to copy Egypt's uprising and force high-level changes in one of Washington's key allies in the Gulf.
The second day of turmoil began after police tried to disperse up to 10-thousand mourners gathering at a hospital parking lot to begin a funeral procession for Ali Abdulhadi Mushaima, 21, who died in Monday's marches.
Protesters chanted slogans mocking the nation's ruling sheiks and called for sweeping political reforms and an end to monarchy's grip on key decisions and government posts.
Al Manar footage showed hundreds of protestors running through the streets while gunshots could be clearly head and several people appeared to sustain injuries during the demonstrations.
The unrest in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, adds another layer to Washington's worries in the region.
Bahrain's capital of Manama is littered with Western-style malls and coffee shops, but like protests in Tunisia and Egypt that toppled regimes, many still boiled down their discontent to a cry for economic justice as well - saying the Sunni rulers control the privileges and opportunities and the Shiite majority struggles with what's left over.
Protesters renamed the seaside Pearl Square "Nation's Square" and erected banners such as "Peaceful" that were prominent in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
Many waved Bahraini flags and chanted: "No Sunnis, no Shiites. We are all Bahrainis."
There is no direct call to bring down the king, whose family has ruled Bahrain for more than two centuries but he is suddenly under unprecedented pressure to make serious changes in how the country is run.
The key demands - listed on posters erected in the square - included the release of all political prisoners, more jobs and housing, an elected Cabinet and the replacement of the long time prime minister, Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
In a clear sign of concern over the widening crisis, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa went on nationwide TV to offer condolences for the deaths.
"In light of the sporadic incidents that have taken place yesterday and today, where there was, with great regret, two deaths among our dear sons, we therefore extend our sincere condolences to their families praying to God the Almighty, to grant them endurance and consolation," he said.
The King promised to push ahead with promised reforms, which include loosening state controls on the media and internet.
"With regard to reform, as we always say and do, reform is a continuous process that will not stop." he added.
Bahrain is one of the most politically volatile nations in the Middle East's wealthiest corner despite having one of the few elected parliaments and some of the most robust civil society groups.
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