Bahrain calls for Gulf help after violent protests

MANAMA - Forces from neighboring Gulf

Arab countries will help maintain order in Bahrain, Saudi-owned

Arabiya TV reported on Monday, and an adviser to Bahrain's royal

court said their forces were already on the strategic island.

"Forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council have arrived in

Bahrain to maintain order and security," Nabeel al-Hamer, a

former information minister and adviser to the royal court, said

on his Twitter feed.

The reports come after Bahraini police clashed on Sunday

with mostly Shi'ite protesters in one of the most violent

confrontations since troops killed seven protesters last month.