Syria, Bahrain (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Peace on Earth?

An anti-regime demonstration on Saturday outside the Constantino Church in the Damascus suburb of Yabroud

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0645 GMT: We open this morning with a separate video/picture feature of clashes in Bahrain last night, including the visual evidence that police are allying with armed plainclothes men in operations against villages.

Earlier, State media said charges relating to freedom of expression would be dropped in 34 cases involving 343 individuals linked to protests, although some of the accused would be tried on other allegations "including acts of violence and sabotage".

Matar Matar, a senior official with the opposition society Al Wefaq and a former MP, responded, "It's a media show, not linked to the application of the recommendations of the [Bahrain] Independent Commission of Inquiry." Protesters have called for the immediate release of all political detainees. 

In Yemen, President Saleh has personally repeated the declaration, issued by his office earlier this week, that he will leave for the United States during the transition of power. He did not say when he would depart.

Meanwhile, the hope of the Life March, a 250-kilometre (155-mile) walk by thousands from Taiz to the capital Sana'a was soon overtaken by the gunfire, tear gas, and water cannon of the regime. Firing on protesters who wanted to go to the Presidential Palace and demand Saleh's trial for crimes against his people, the security forces killed nine people.