Bahrainis hold anti-regime rally

Bahraini protesters staged another demonstration against the ruling Al Khalifa regime. Demonstrations were held across the country for the fifth consecutive day of the protest campaign dubbed "Leave Hamad," in reference to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, press tv reported. The demonstrators also chanted anti-regime slogans and called for the release of political prisoners. Last month, 37 people were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison over anti-regime demonstrations. In September, another 50 activists, including a prominent Iraqi cleric, were also sentenced to up to 15 years for forming an opposition group. The uprising in Bahrain began in early 2011. Protesters initially called for political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and certain other Arab countries stepped in to assist the Bahraini regime forces in the crackdown on the peaceful protests.