Protests across Middle East gather steam

Tens of thousands of Bahrainis rallied in support of their beleaguered government Monday, dwarfing the opposition’s movement and raising new questions about whether the calls for reforms will lead instead to more sectarianism for a key American strategic ally.

What began a week ago as a call by Shiite Muslims for a constitutional monarchy has instead opened a rift between the majority Shiites and Sunni Muslims in a nation that up until now enjoyed some of the best relations between the sects in the region.

A prominent opposition figure accused by Bahrain of plotting against the state plans to return from London, and the move could bolster protesters and force authorities into difficult choices.

Hassan Meshaima, head of a group known as Haq, is set to arrive late today as the embattled monarchy tries to engage demonstrators in talks aimed at easing the clashes and marches that have deeply divided the strategic Gulf nation.

Meshaima, considered by Bahrain’s officials as a potential enemy of the state, and another London-based opposition leader are being tried in absentia among a total of 25 Shiite activists accused of plotting to overthrow Bahrain’s Sunni rulers.

Yemen

Yemen’s embattled leader rejected demands that he step down, calling demonstrations unacceptable acts of provocation and offered to begin a dialogue with protesters.

But protests seeking President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s ouster have not let up, as tens of thousands rally in four cities, including the capital of Sanaa.

The opposition has rebuffed Saleh’s offer of dialogue and an influential group of Muslim clerics is calling for a national unity government that would lead the country, the poorest Arab nation, to elections. Saleh has been in power for 32 years and is a key U.S. ally.

Saleh’s promises not to run for re-election in 2013 or to set up his son as an heir have failed to quell the anger.

Morocco

Five charred bodies were found in a bank set aflame on the sidelines of one of many nationwide protests pushing for more democracy in the kingdom.

Morocco’s interior minister, Taeib Cherqaoui, says at least 128 people were injured – mostly security forces – in unrest linked to protests a day earlier that drew at least 37,000 demonstrators in dozens of towns and cities.

The demonstrations marked Morocco’s entry into the Arab world’s wave of protests. Their main target was the parliament, though they will likely put pressure on King Mohammed VI.