RIYADH (Reuters) – The moment my wife and I left our apartment compound in downtown Riyadh, a jeep screeched to a halt infront of us and a bearded man stepped out.

“Is this your wife? I want to give you some advice. Don’t let her wear makeup,” said the religious policeman, dressed in a traditional white robe.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Dozens of Saudis gathered outside the interior ministry in Riyadh on Sunday to demand the release of jailed relatives, activists said, two days after a planned day of protests fizzled amid a heavy police presence.

Protests are banned in Saudi Arabia and the interior ministry denied one was taking place. Journalists could not get close to the heavily guarded ministry but saw dozens of men in traditional white robes standing there, while dozens of security forces stood by next to parked buses and police cars.

RIYADH (Reuters) – A security clampdown in the Saudi capital turned a planned day of rage into a damp squib on Friday, while determined police action in neighbouring Kuwait and Bahrain also appeared to deflate demonstrators’ zeal.

Rallies after Friday prayers have proved decisive in popular uprisings that have overthrown the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt. But the heavy police turnout in some major Gulf cities managed to put a lid on discontent that has surfaced in the region.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Police flooded the streets of the Saudi capital on Friday to deter a planned day of protests inspired by pan-Arab revolt, but a small Shi’ite demonstration was reported in the country’s oil-producing east.

There was no sign of protest by late afternoon in Riyadh, in the kingdom’s conservative Sunni heartland, a day after a clampdown on a Shi’ite rally in the east showed the government was serious about enforcing a ban on demonstrations.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Small protests rattled Saudi Arabia and Kuwait on Friday, Bahrain warned that a planned rally threatened its security and Yemen witnessed huge demonstrations in continued unrest that has roiled the Arab world.

Friday rallies have proved decisive in popular uprisings that have overthrown the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt and are now having an impact on the oil-rich Gulf region — long thought to be immune to mass civil disturbances.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Police flooded the streets of the Saudi capital on Friday looking to deter a planned day of demonstrations and small protests were reported in the east of the oil-rich country that has been rattled by pan-Arab unrest.

A loose coalition of liberals, rights activists, moderate Sunni Islamists and Shi’ite Muslims has urged political reform and a Facebook page calling for demonstrations has attracted more than 30,000 supporters in the conservative kingdom.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Police turned out in large numbers on the streets of the capital of Saudi Arabia and security was high in a number of other Gulf States, as authorities braced for possible protests after Friday prayers.

Friday demonstrations have proved decisive in popular uprisings that have overthrown the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt and are now having an impact on the oil-rich Gulf region — long thought to be largely immune to civil unrest.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s capital was quiet on Friday ahead of a planned day of demonstrations that will test whether activists calling for reform online will succeed in taking their protests to the streets.

A loose coalition of liberals, rights activists, moderate Sunni Islamists and Shi’ite Muslims has called for political reform and a Facebook page calling for demonstrations attracted more than 30,000 supporters, but protests are strictly forbidden in the conservative kingdom.

and Cynthia Johnston RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi police fired in the air to disperse protesting Shi’ites on Thursday, and three people were injured in the melee on the eve of a day of protests called for on social media, witnesses and activists said.

Shots were heard near the protest by around 200 Shi’ites in the town of Qatif in Eastern Province, home to some of the world’s largest oil fields and a large Shi’ite minority.

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi police used force to disperse a demonstration by minority Shi’ites on Thursday, injuring up to four people on the eve of a day of protests called for on social media, witnesses and activists said.

Shots were heard near a protest by around 200 Shi’ites in the town of Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, home to some of the world’s largest oil fields and a large Shi’ite minority.