Protestors clash over hunger-striker

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**NONE**

Protesters throw rocks as they are sprayed by water cannon in the Bahraini capital of Manama Friday, according to video filmed by activists.

The more than 5,000 demonstrators gathered in Pearl Square to demand the release of Abdulahdi al-Khawaja.

He is one of 14 men in prison for leading the largely Shi'ite population in pro-democracy protests against the Sunni ruling family last year.

Khawaja, who has been on a hunger strike for 58 days, was moved to a hospital when his health deteriorated.

The Interior Ministry said the protesters hurled molotov cocktails, iron rods and rocks at police.

This latest protest comes as pressure mounts on Formula One bosses to cancel a Grand Prix planned for later this month.

A Shi'ite-led pro-democracy uprising was crushed last year, but protests in the Shi'ite areas remain frequent in Bahrain, and often end in violence.

Sarah Wali, Reuters