The Crown Prince of Bahrain is expected to formally invite security forces from Saudi Arabia into his country today, as part of a request for support from other members of the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council.
Thousands of demonstrators on Sunday cut off Bahrain's financial centre and drove back police trying to eject them from the capital's central square, while protesters also clashed with government supporters on the campus of the main university.
The crown prince, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, said in a televised statement that Bahrain had "witnessed tragic events" during a month of unprecedented political unrest.
Warning that "the right to security and safety is above all else", he added: "Any legitimate claims must not be made at the expanse of security and stability."
The crown prince has also promised that national dialogue would look at increasing the power of Bahrain's parliament, and that any deal could be put to nationwide referendum.
Earlier on Sunday, police moved in on Pearl Square, a site of occupation by Sunni and Shias, who are calling for new constitutional and overthrowing government.
Witnesses said security forces surrounded the protesters' tent compound, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters in the largest effort to clear the square since a crackdown last month that left 9 martyr and 100s injured.
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