Bahraini military vehicles, deployed in the capital Manama's Pearl Square after a deadly police raid on protesters, began pulling out on Saturday, a condition the opposition has set to begin talks, an AFP correspondent reported. A statement from Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa said he had "ordered the withdrawal of all military from the streets of Bahrain with immediate effect."
The heir to the throne, who is also deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, said police "will continue to oversee law and order." Crowds of demonstrators poured into Pearl Square after the military vehicles withdrew. Police fired tear gas to disperse them and made at least three arrests.