RIYADH, March 5: Saudi Arabia's interior ministry said on Saturday that protests were illegal, amid various calls for demonstrations demanding change in the kingdom, state media said.

“Regulations in the kingdom forbid categorically all sorts of demonstrations, marches and sit-ins... as they contradict Islamic Sharia law and the values and traditions of Saudi society,” said a ministry statement carried by SPA state news agency. The statement said police were “authorised by law to take all measures needed against those who try to break the law.”

Members of Shia community protested on Friday in the Eastern Province, calling for the release of a cleric, Sheikh Tawfiq al-Aamer, witnesses said.

The demonstration was organised after an appeal made on Facebook for a “Day of Rage” in the kingdom's east to demand the release of Sheikh Aamer, who was arrested on Sunday.

On Thursday night, 22 people were arrested as police dispersed a rally in Al-Qatif town in which protesters demanded the release of prisoners, said Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb, the head of Human Rights First in Saudi Arabia.

“The protesters demanded the liberation of nine 'forgotten' prisoners in Al-Qatif, and also of Sheikh al-Aamer, whose picture they carried, and called for national unity between Sunnis and Shias,” Mr Mugaiteeb said.

Sheikh Aamer was arrested “after calling for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy” in Saudi Arabia.—AFP