8:29am UK, Friday March 11, 2011
Gary Mitchell, Sky News Online
Saudi police have opened fire to disperse protesters and three people have been injured in the city of Qatif, according to reports.
It comes as authorities crack down on demonstrations -- which are rare in the country -- to prevent the kingdom's rulers being hit by the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world.
Further protests are said to be planned on Friday and could shake the world's markets because of the importance of Saudi oil exports, as the crisis in oil-rich Libya deepens.
The Saudi government said police only fired into the air.
Witnesses reported seeing riot police and special forces with batons and tear gas canisters, mainly around shopping areas and main roads.
