Molotov cocktails are to be outlawed in Bahrain under a bill approved by members of parliament yesterday.

They approved a new law that criminalises the production, possession and use of Molotov cocktails.

Police revealed on Monday that they have already begun sweeping villages to crackdown on Molotov "factories", set up by youths to create weapons for attacks on police.

Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman urged parliament to pass the government-proposed bill after Pakistani policeman Majid Ali Kareem Baksh, 24, was killed when masked men hurled Molotov cocktails at a patrol vehicle in Karzakan last Wednesday.

Two other policemen were injured.

The law has now been referred to the Shura Council, and if approved, it will be ratified by His Majesty the King.