SOLDIERS opened fire yesterday on thousands of protesters defying a government ban and streaming toward the landmark square that had been the symbolic centre of the uprising to break the political grip of the Gulf nation’s leaders.

Security forces have fired tear gas on thousands of protest marchers in Bahrain's capital after angry calls to topple the Gulf nation's monarchy.

Thousands of mourners have called for the downfall of Bahrain’s ruling monarchy as funerals begin for the victims of the security forces’ attack on pro-reform protesters.