State of emergency declared in Bahrain

MANAMA, BAHRAIN, March 15, 2011 (AP): Bahrain state TV says a three-month state of emergency has been declared to try to quell political unrest threatening the monarchy.

The statement from Bahrain's king says that the nation's armed forces chief is authorised to take all measures to stamp out protests that have gripped the island nation for the past month.

Tuesday's move comes a day after a Saudi-led military forces arrived to help prop up the U.S.-backed regime.

Bahrain's Shia majority is seeking sweeping reforms against the Sunni rulers.