24 Feb 2012 Manama : Tens of thousands of Bahrainis have rallied near the capital, Manama, to demand an end to the decades-long rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty.

The Friday protest rally was organized by Bahrain’s main opposition bloc, al-Wefaq.

There were no reports of violence. In Bahrain, protest rallies are mostly met with live rounds and tear gas.

The latest rally comes two days after thousands of Bahrainis gathered outside the United Nations headquarters in Manama to demand the immediate release of opposition leaders.

In April, Bahrain sentenced eight opposition leaders to life in jail for “plotting to overthrow the government” as part of the Manama crackdown on protests.

Bahrain has been witnessing a wave of anti-regime protests since February 2011. Dozens have been killed and hundreds wounded in the regime crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Despite the ongoing crackdown, anti-regime protests continue in the Persian Gulf kingdom. Bahrainis have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.