The United States on Wednesday criticised the arrest, while also renewing  its condemnation of violence in the Sunni ruled Gulf kingdom where Shia led protests broke out in mid February. "We're deeply concerned about his arrest.

He's a prominent and respected  blogger," said Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman. "We're also concerned about reports of the detention of two other Internet activists who have expressed their views on recent events in Bahrain," Toner  said. "We hope that the Bahraini government's decision to arrest bloggers and Internet activists will not make it more difficult to resume a national dialogue," he said. Yousif was already being sued by Bahrain's Minister for Municipal and  Agricultural Affairs Mansur bin Rajab for libel.

He had lashed out at bin Rajab in his blog, "Mahbood's Den," for saying that his ministry did not shirk its responsibilities following floods in  December. The blog describes itself is "an Arab man's attempt at bridging the cultural gap.

Trying to make a difference, failing a lot, succeeding once in a  while." At least 24 people, including four policemen, have been killed in a month  of protests, according to Bahraini officials. Toner said US officials "condemn the violence against civilians and peaceful protesters" in Bahrain.