Bahrain Protesters Call for Ouster of Monarchy While Egypt Holds 'Victory March'

Feb. 18, 2011— -- Tensions remained high today in the Middle East kingdom of Bahrain after authorities banned all pro-democracy protests amid funerals for those killed in the crackdown and calls for the ouster of their ruling monarchy.

Soldiers reportedly fired weapons and tear gas canisters into the air this morning as thousands once again gathered to march toward Pearl Square in protest of the government's ban on demonstrations. At least 100 people were injured, some with gunshot wounds, hospital officials said.

The violence erupted hours after protesters came together to mourn those who were killed in Pearl Square during a midnight clash with police Thursday.

Crown Prince Salman al Khalifa appeared on state television to express his condolences to the families of those who died Thursday, and appealed for calm and unity. He also said that the government was willing to negotiate but that the protesters must agree to stand down first.

Meanwhile, President Obama has called on the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen to show restraint as reports of violence come pouring out of the Middle East. On board Air Force One, Obama said the countries should respect the rights of the citizens demonstrating peacefully and expressed condolences to the families of those who were killed.

In Libya, protesters clashed with police as they called for longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down. Some gathered in the city of Benghazi and set fire to government buildings and police stations, and a website linked to Gadhafi said that 1,000 inmates at a Benghazi prison attacked the guards and escaped.

Dozens reportedly were killed in two days. The government promised to change administrators in an attempt to end the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, eight people were injured in Jordan's capital, Amman, where protesters claimed to have been attacked with batons, stones and pipes in the first bout of violence after nearly two months of weekly protests.

Thousands also are gathering in the tiny East African country of Djibouti to demand the resignation of President Ismail Omar Guelleh after he reportedly made changes to the constitution to extend his term. Djibouti hosts the only U.S. military base in Africa.

In the eighth straight day of protests in Yemen, police fired shots in the air and used tear gas against thousands of anti-government protesters. Two people were killed overnight in riots in the city of Adan, and tens of thousands gathered to protest in the southern city of Taiz, where a grenade reportedly was thrown at demonstrators.

In Bahrain, at least five people were killed after police stormed and dismantled protest camps set up at Pearl Square Thursday in the kingdom's capital of Manama. Riot police had responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

ABC News' Miguel Marquez got caught in the crowd and was beaten by a group of men while covering the protests.

Pearl Square later was scrubbed clean by the government.

Bahrain is a crucial U.S. ally and the island nation is host to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and about 6,000 U.S. troops.

Protesters in Bahrain are demanding not just jobs but also the release of political prisoners and broad constitutional reforms.

They are calling for the end to the monarchy that has ruled Bahrain for 200 years.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Bahrain a "model partner" in December, but as the protests heat up and the crackdown hardens, Washington is slowly taking a harder line.

"We call on restraint from the government to keep its commitment to hold accountable those who have utilized excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and we urge a return to a process that will result in real meaningful changes for the people there," Clinton said.

Elsewhere, protesters returned to the streets after Friday prayers in Cairo today.

This time, however, it was to celebrate the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.