Bahrain army crack down on protests as 4 die in clashes

BAHRAIN'S military says it has taken control of most of the Gulf island's capital and has banned protests.

The military says it has "key parts" of Manama "under control."

The announcement was read on Bahrain's state TV just hours after riot police with tear gas and clubs drove protesters from a main square.

At least four people were killed after riot police with tear gas and clubs drove protesters from a main square where they had demanded sweeping political change in this tiny kingdom.

A leader of the Sunni-ruled Bahrain's Shiite opposition Abdul Jalil Khalil says 18 parliament members also have resigned in protest at the killings.

Armed patrols prowled neighbourhoods and tanks appeared in the streets for the first time after the crackdown in Pearl Square, Manama, the site of anti-government rallies since Monday.

Barbed wire was set up on streets leading to the square, where police cleaned up flattened protest tents and trampled banners. The interior ministry declared the protest camp "illegal" and warned Bahrainis to stay off the streets.

The island nation was effectively shut down since workers in the capital could not pass checkpoints or were too scared to venture out.

Banks and other key institutions did not open.

The protesters' demands have two main objectives: force the ruling Sunni monarchy to give up its control over senior government posts and all critical decisions, and address deep grievances held by the country's majority Shiites who claim they face systematic discrimination and are effectively blocked from key roles in public service and the military.

Bahrain is a pillar of Washington's military framework in the region. It hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, a critical counterbalance to Iran's efforts to expand its clout in the region.