DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Riot police in Bahrain used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. The demonstrators marched toward Pearl Square in Bahrain's capital, Manama, after a funeral procession for a protester who died in custody. The government said the man died of a blood disease. An Associated Press photographer said the demonstrators hurled firebombs and rocks at troops about 700 meters (yards) from Pearl Square, where crowds gathered in February 2011 as the Arab Spring-inspired uprising erupted in the Gulf nation. Bahrain's majority Shiites seek greater rights in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. At least 50 people have died in nearly 20 months of unrest. Dozens of opposition leaders have been jailed, including human rights activist Nabeel Rajab whose family said he began a hunger strike Friday. Rajab was temporarily freed from prison this week to attend his mother's funeral, but the furlough was cut short after he delivered a speech urging for protests to continue.
Bahrain police, protesters clash in capital Manama
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A Bahraini anti-government protester throws a petrol bomb toward riot police, unseen, firing tear gas and stun grenades in Sadad, Bahrain, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. Clashes erupted at the end of a mourning procession for Ali Hussein Niema, 17, who allegedly was shot dead last week by riot police. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Riot police chase Bahraini anti-government protesters during clashes in Sadad, Bahrain, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012. Clashes erupted at the end of a mourning procession for Ali Hussein Niema, 17, who allegedly was shot dead last week by riot police. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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A Bahraini man holds up a sign calling for the release of human rights activist Nabeel Rajab during the funeral procession for Rajab's elderly mother in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012. Rajab, who is serving a three year jail sentence for organizing and participating in unauthorized pro-democracy protests, was allowed out for the day for his mother's funeral. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Riot police watch for Bahraini anti-government protesters, unseen, near tire fires set by protesters in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters, masked against tear gas, throw bottles of paint and petrol bombs at a police water cannon truck during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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The driver of a police water cannon truck stands near his vehicle, which Bahraini anti-government protesters damaged with petrol bombs and sprayed with graffiti reading "down Hamad," referring to Bahrain's king, during clashes in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters, masked against tear gas, throw petrol bombs at a police water cannon truck during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Riot police watch for Bahraini anti-government protesters, unseen, near tire fires set by protesters in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Masked Bahraini anti-government protesters carry crates of homemade paint and petrol bombs into clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. The headband on the youth at right reads: "I am the next martyr." (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Police spray a Bahraini anti-government protester carrying a national flag with a water cannon during clashes in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters react to tear gas during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters, some with national flags, run from tear gas and the spray of water cannons during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police dispersed hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Riot police chase Bahraini anti-government protesters, unseen, in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters, one wearing a national flag at right, react to tear gas during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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Bahraini anti-government protesters, masked against tear gas, throw bottles of paint and petrol bombs at a police water cannon truck during clashes with riot police in Sanabis, Bahrain, on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas on Friday to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to reach a heavily guarded site that was once the hub of their uprising. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)
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