Bahrain on after the arrest of opposition leader

Tension mounts in Bahrain. More and more voices are raised to denounce the Sunday arrest of the leader of the Shiite opposition, Sheikh Ali Salman. Around Manama, the capital, demonstrations were marred by clashes on Monday with security forces in villages Shiite majority.

In a joint text, several opposition parties believe that the leader's arrest is an "escalation" that threaten "social stability" and "civil peace."

The Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty is at the head of the Gulf kingdom, a close ally of the United States. For four years, a protest movement is led by the Shiite majority.

Reappointed as head of the main opposition party, Al Wefaq, the Sheikh Salman was charged with "inciting regime change by force." Last Friday, a protest of several thousand people demanded the ouster of the government and termed illegitimate Parliament.