Bahrainis protest ahead of F1 grand prix

The Gulf Arab kingdom has arrested several people accused of stealing and burning cars and scaled up security ahead of the Grand Prix, the biggest sporting event hosted by the U.S.-allied country and which is watched by millions around the world.

The protests were not expected to have any effect on qualifying taking place Friday and Saturday at the Sakhir desert circuit about 30 km southwest of the capital Manama or the race itself on Sunday.

The government is hoping for a healthy turnout this year despite violent unrest that has hit the country since pro-democracy protests started in early 2011.

Protesters and activists accuse the government of trying to use the race to paper over human rights abuses and disguise political problems they say still plague the country.

The race was cancelled in 2011 when protests were crushed and at least 35 people were killed. Activists put the death toll far higher.

Last year's race went ahead against a backdrop of burning tyres and riot police firing teargas at protesters throwing petrol bombs in Shi'ite Muslim villages.

The United States has tempered criticism of Bahrain, which it sees as a key ally in the region-wide tussle between Shi'ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia and which hosts its navy's Fifth Fleet.