White-helmeted police with riot shields stood behind one gate, looking on as the flag-waving demonstrators chanted "Topple Hamad! Topple Hamad!".
"Hey Khalifa, get out! Get out!" demonstrators chanted, referring to the country's long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, who has an office at the palace and has been a target of demonstrations.
"We want the prime minister to go," said Alaa al-Nasr, a 24-year-old demonstrator.
