RIYADH, Aug 4: Saudi police on Thursday barred a group of about 1000 people from staging a march in support of Hezbollah in the eastern town of Qatif. The area is mainly inhabited by Shias.

The police had not interfered with the earlier protest marches in the same area.

Organisers were disappointed by the police decision since they were hoping for a big turnout after seeing a spirited response to earlier calls on working days.

“Authorities surrounded the protesters and brought six buses full of anti-riot policemen. A senior police officer used a speaker to ask the demonstrators to disperse,” a resident said.