Security forces flood streets of Saudi capital Riyadh as regime tries to prevent copycat protests on planned 'Day of Rage'
- Protest plans spread using social networking site Facebook
- Day of Rage could begin after evening prayers - as in Tunisia and Egypt
Saudi Arabian security forces have flooded the streets of the capital Riyadah, and other major cities, to pre-empt a 'Day of Rage' and the possibility of any copycat protests which have pockmarked the Middle East and North Africa, and led to two regimes being toppled.
As in Tunisia and Egypt - a country which neighbours Saudi Arabia - news of the planned uprising has spread quickly using social networking websites like Facebook and the microblogging site Twitter.
Having gained confidence from the successful recent uprisings, liberals, rights activists, moderate Sunni Islamists and Shi'ite Muslims have all joined forces to demand political change, and experts believe that they may call for an end to the monarchy.
Scroll down to see a video of the extra security forces assembled
Pre-emptive: The Saudi Arabian police force have flooded the streets of the capital, Riyadh, in an attempt to quash any protests
Danger zone: Saudi Arabia is next to Egypt, which was where the leader was toppled thanks to popular uprises
King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, 87, has been in charge of the conservative kingdom since August 2005 and his supporters have warned that any protesters will be severely punished.
However, over 30,000 people have been attracted to the Facebook pages urging reform and a switch to democracy.
Last night the government made it clear that protests would not be tolerated and police dispersed Shi'ite protests in the town of Qatif in the oil-producing Eastern province.
Monarch: King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, 87, has said that protesters will be heavily punished if they rise up against the government
Shots were heard from the area where some 200 people were demonstrating - it is not known whether they were live rounds.
But today scores of uniformed police patrolled main squares in Riyadh as scores of police cars toured the streets.
A helicopter circled above one city mosque and busloads of police were parked nearby, significantly raising the security presence. There was also a heavy police presence in the second city of Jeddah.
If the protests to go ahead, they are expected to start up after noon prayers at 1pm (10am GMT) or after evening prayers around 5pm (2pm GMT).
'The fact the Saudi regime is making a big deal of this suggests that it may be a big deal,' said Shadi Hamid, of the Brookings Centre in Doha.
'If the first kind of explicitly pro-democracy protests happen [today] that sets a precedent and we'll probably see more pro-democracy protests,' said Shadi Hamid, of the Brookings Centre in Doha.
'Even if its 200 or 300 that is still, by Saudi standards, a big deal and something to worry about.'
A diplomat in the Gulf region said protests were not expected to evolve into a mass demonstration today and the Saudi government would respond through non-lethal means.
Riyadh is closely watching the outcome of protests elsewhere in the Gulf, especially in Bahrain where a disgruntled Shi'ite majority is seeking an elected government.
Saudi Arabia, where Shi'ites make up about 15 per cent of the population, fears sustained unrest there could embolden its own Shi'ite minority.
Protests were also planned across the Arabian Peninsula including in Yemen, Kuwait and Bahrain today in the organised 'Day of Rage'.
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The time after Friday prayers has proved to be crucial in popular uprisings that have brought down Tunisian and Egyptian rulers who once seemed invulnerable.
The world's biggest oil exporter has made it clear it does not tolerate any protests or political parties, which it says are unnecessary in an Islamic state applying Islamic law.
Activists in Saudi Arabia are not seeking the downfall of the king but want political reform and economic opportunities.
Blogger Murtadha Almtawaah wrote: 'Saudi young men and women aren't just frustrated, they are miserably in despair. Everyone I have talked with here is complaining.
'They complain about the bad infrastructure of the cities and the roads, the absence of civil society and freedom, the bad education system, women rights and finally the corruption.'
Human Rights First called on the government to use restraint in dealing with any protests. 'We ask that all police forces be kept away from the streets or be completely neutralised,' the Saudi-based group said.
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