(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - There were no reports of unrest in the kingdom on Friday as security forces launched a massive clampdown to deter demonstrators from answering a Facebook call to take to the streets.
"I think the Saudi people are prepared for change but not ready to revolt. This explains why calls for protests miserably failed," human rights activist Fuad al-Farhan told AFP.
Rallies to press for democratic reform in the oil-rich absolute monarchy were supposed to start after Muslim weekly prayers on Friday but the mosques emptied with no signs of unrest, only a menacing security presence.
However, tensions were high in the Eastern Province city of Al-Qateef, where three Shiite protesters were shot martyred and several wounded by police dispersing a demonstration late Thursday.
A small demonstration calling for reforms and the release of Shiite prisoners also took place on Friday, a witness told AFP, but there were no reports of unrest.
Farhan expected another call for protests by other online activists to fizz out in similar fashion on March 20.
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