Bahrain Increases Security Ahead of Anti-Government Protests

Activists want protesters to meet near the U.S. embassy, which has been temporarily closed

(Reuters)—Bahrain has tightened security around some restive Shi'ite Muslim villages to try to thwart anti-government protests planned for Wednesday that have prompted the United States to temporarily close its embassy.

Activists said on social media they would try to force the Sunni Muslim ruling family to allow more democracy in the country of 1.25 million, taking inspiration from protests in Egypt that led to the removal of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. They called on people to meet near the U.S. embassy.