Forty-one policemen suffered serious injuries as masked youths went on the rampage across Bahrain on Tuesday.

Five were still in a critical condition at BDF Hospital last night, including one with severe burns.

The worst clashes were in Duraz, Sanabis, Dair and Ekr where attackers hurled metal rods, rocks, bottles and petrol bombs at police, according to the Information Affairs Authority (IAA).

"Police were met by masked and armed men and women as well as children in some cases," it said in a statement. "The nature of the attacks reflected a serious escalation in the violent tactics of groups and individuals supporting the political opposition."

The IAA also criticised Shi'ite cleric Shaikh Isa Qassim, who allegedly called for his followers to "crush" police, who he described "the low-life foreigners that walk in our streets" during a sermon last Friday.

Public Security chief Major-General Tariq Al Hassan said a number of vandals were arrested on Tuesday for blocking roads in various villages in the country.

He said they hurled iron rods and Molotov cocktails, forcing police to intervene to restore order. Those detained will be referred to the Public Prosecution.

The Northern Governorate and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday issued statements condemning the violence. – TradeArabia News Service