In Bahrain, at least 50 prisoners were released included 25 Shiite activists who were on trial since last year for plotting against the state. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States welcomes the king’s decision to release the prisoners and initiate a meaningful dialogue with the full spectrum of Bahraini society.

Meanwhile large numbers of protestors are present at Pearl Square in Manama calling for sweeping political reforms.

Apart from Bahrain, there are reports of unrest in some other countries in the West Asia.

In Yemen, reports say that armed supporters of Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh opened fire on a student sit-in in Sanaa last night, shooting dead two students and wounding 11 others. Earlier President’s supporters clashed with students in the capital Sanaa wounding five. Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Students are spending nights camped at a square, which they have dubbed Al-Huriya (Liberty) Square, near Sanaa university demanding Saleh’s ouster. Thousands of protesters also took to the streets in several neighbourhoods of the southern city of Aden. Country’s president Saleh has rejected demands of his stepping down. He however renewed calls for talks with the protesters.

In Iraq, around 4,000 demonstrators crowded a square in the centre of the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah opposing corrupt elements in the administration. Demonstrations were also held in and around Baghdad, Kut, Nasiriyah, Diwaniyah, Ramadi and Basra. In response, Iraqi authorities have proposed slashing politicians’ pay in half and to redirect more government funds to feeding the needy. Iraqi parliament suspended work for a week and sent lawmakers to their areas to help soothe rising anger over corruption, food shortages and poor services.

In Iran, the website of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi has reported that security forces swept through the homes of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi and his family, arresting one of his sons and confiscating several documents. Meanwhile

Iran has called for the UN Human Rights Council to form a committee to examine situation in Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya. According to Iranian news agency ISNA, the Head of Iranian Parliament Human Rights Committee, Zohreh Elahian in a letter to the UN Human Rights Council President has demanded that criminals be introduced to the court to stand trial. She deplored the action on people of the countries who are staging civil and peaceful anti-government protests only to revive their natural and lawful rights.