A BOMB exploded, apparently prematurely, yesterday in a car parked near a Bahrain marketplace. It was the Gulf island's second blast in four days and fourth since New Year's Eve.
"A small explosion took place this afternoon in a car parked near Isa Town commercial market a government official said."
No casualties were reported.
"The car might have been prepared to be used for an explosion in other places but exploded before they were able to carry it the official said.
"Explosive material, a timing device, tubes and two petrol containers were found in the car," he said.
The explosion south of Maanama was the second this week and the fourth in Bahrain, the Gulf's main banking and financial centre, since a percussion bomb exploded at a commercial complex in the capital on New Year's Eve.
A bomb ripped through the luxury Diplomat Hotel on Sunday, wounding three people. Officials blamed "terrorists" aiming to destabilise Bahrain's security and its tourism industry. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al Khalifa, yesterday vowed to bring to justice those responsible.
No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday's explosion, the second attack on a luxury hotel in less than a month.
On January 17th, a bomb exploded at Le Royal Meridien Hotel where scores of international oil industry executive were gathered for a conference to caused minor damage but no injuries. The percussion bomb on December 31st caused panic and minor damage but no injures.
Anti government protests resumed last month after a lull of eight months. They began in December 1994 when a Shia Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ali Salman, was arrested for distributing leaflets calling for restoration of the country's elected parliament, dissolved in 1975. He was later deported.
Eight Shia Muslim leaders, including Sheikh Abdul Amir al Jamri, an influential clergyman and former member of parliament, were arrested three weeks ago. A prominent Sunni Muslim lawyer, poet and writer, Ahmed al Shamlan, was also arrested last week. All nine were accused of inciting anti government protests.
At least 13 civilians and three policemen were killed in the earlier round of protests. The government has blamed the violence on foreign backed groups.