Bahrain security forces in crackdown on Pearl Square

Security forces in Bahrain have used tanks, tear gas, water cannon and helicopters to drive hundreds of anti-government demonstrators from their camp in Pearl Square, in the capital Manama.

The opposition say there were at least five deaths and hundreds of injuries, although this cannot be independently confirmed.

Officials said three police were killed.

Abdul Jalil Khalil is the leader of Bahrain's main opposition bloc, Al-Wefaq.

Listen to Abdul Jalil Khalil 3 mins

Doctors told the BBC the security forces were stopping them from treating people injured in the violence, with no one allowed to leave or enter the main Salmaniya hospital.

Ahdeya Ahmed is a government information affairs official.

Listen to Ahdeya Ahmed 4 mins

First broadcast 16 March 2011