Saudi police hold 7 after pro-Hizbollah marches

RIYADH - Saudi police have detained at least seven people after pro-Hizbollah protests in the east of the kingdom, home to a Shi'ite Muslim minority, according to residents.

The detentions over the weekend followed marches by hundreds of people on Friday, the latest in a series of protests in a week in Qatif and the neighbouring town of Safwa in support of the Shi'ite Lebanese guerrilla group.

Interior Ministry officials could not be reached for comment.

Authorities have shown unusual leniency in tolerating some marches against Israeli attacks in Lebanon, but police on Thursday dispersed a demonstration in the region. Public protests are banned in Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the bastion of Sunni Islam.

"They have arrested some of the participants in the recent marches and even relatives of others they could not find," said a Qatif resident who asked to be identified only as Munir. A Shi'ite website also reported the detentions.

Poet Adil al-Labbab said one of his brothers was detained to put pressure on another to turn himself in. "Such a practice is against international law, local law and even God's law," he said.

The kingdom, which fears the rising influence of Shi'ite power Iran, has denounced Israel's military campaign against Lebanon and called for a ceasefire, but has also blamed Hizbollah for provoking the conflict.

On Tuesday, more than 2000 marched in Qatif to denounce Israel's offensive.

- REUTERS