Manama, Bahrain:
Soldiers opened fire on Friday on thousands of protesters defying a government ban and streaming towards the landmark Pearl Square in the Bahraini capital of Manama which had been the symbolic centre of the uprising to break the political grip of the Gulf nation's leaders.
Officials at the main Salmaniya Hospital said at least 50 people were injured, some with gunshot wounds.
X-rays showed bullets still lodged inside victims.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the hospital and chanted "the people want to topple the regime" and "down with (King) Hamid."
Protesters described a chaotic scene of tear gas clouds, bullets coming from many directions and people slipping in pools of blood as they sought cover.
Some claimed the gunfire came from either helicopters or sniper nests, a day after riot police swept through the protest encampment in Pearl Square, killing at least five people and razing the tents and makeshift shelters which were inspired by the demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
The clash came hours after funeral mourners and worshippers at Friday prayers called for the toppling of the Western-allied monarchy in the tiny island nation which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, the centrepiece of the Pentagon's efforts to confront Iranian military influence.
Some members of Bahrain's Sunni ruling system worry that Shiite powerhouse Iran could use Bahrain's majority Shiites as a further foothold in the region.
On Friday evening, Bahrain's king appointed Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to lead a dialogue "with all parties," though it was unclear whether furious protesters would respond to the overture.
Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa later appeared on television to express his condolences "to all Bahrainis because of the painful days that we are living through."
"I would like to address them with a message: a message of a citizen, a message for men to be calm. We need time to evaluate what happened, and to regroup together again, and to restore our humanity, culture and future," he added.
"We are at a crossroads," Salman said. "Youths are going out on the street believing that they have no future in the country, while others are going out to express their love and loyalty. But this country is for you all, for the Shiites and Sunnis."
He also called for "self control and ethics ... from all parties at this time. This includes the armed forces, police, and citizens."
Officials at the main Salmaniya Hospital said at least 50 people were injured, some with gunshot wounds.
X-rays showed bullets still lodged inside victims.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the hospital and chanted "the people want to topple the regime" and "down with (King) Hamid."
Protesters described a chaotic scene of tear gas clouds, bullets coming from many directions and people slipping in pools of blood as they sought cover.
Some claimed the gunfire came from either helicopters or sniper nests, a day after riot police swept through the protest encampment in Pearl Square, killing at least five people and razing the tents and makeshift shelters which were inspired by the demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
The clash came hours after funeral mourners and worshippers at Friday prayers called for the toppling of the Western-allied monarchy in the tiny island nation which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, the centrepiece of the Pentagon's efforts to confront Iranian military influence.
Some members of Bahrain's Sunni ruling system worry that Shiite powerhouse Iran could use Bahrain's majority Shiites as a further foothold in the region.
On Friday evening, Bahrain's king appointed Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to lead a dialogue "with all parties," though it was unclear whether furious protesters would respond to the overture.
Crown Prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa later appeared on television to express his condolences "to all Bahrainis because of the painful days that we are living through."
"I would like to address them with a message: a message of a citizen, a message for men to be calm. We need time to evaluate what happened, and to regroup together again, and to restore our humanity, culture and future," he added.
"We are at a crossroads," Salman said. "Youths are going out on the street believing that they have no future in the country, while others are going out to express their love and loyalty. But this country is for you all, for the Shiites and Sunnis."
He also called for "self control and ethics ... from all parties at this time. This includes the armed forces, police, and citizens."
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