Bahrain blogger Zainab al-Khawaja 'detained in protest'

Police in Bahrain have detained prominent blogger and rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja during a protest near the capital Manama, reports say.

Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters trying to block a main road, according to witnesses.

The Gulf kingdom's Shia Muslim majority have staged regular protests in the past 10 months demanding more rights from the Sunni-dominated monarchy.

King Hamad has pledged reforms.

The latest unrest comes during a visit to Bahrain by the US state department's top human rights envoy, Michael Posner.

He welcomed moves by King Hamad to address rights abuses, but urged him to do more.     More Read