Spotlight: Fighting for democracy / Protesters fired on by Libya, Yemen security -- In Bahrain, government avoids confrontations

CAIRO - Security forces in Libya and Yemen fired on pro-democracy demonstrators Saturday as the two hard-line regimes struckback against the wave of protests that has already toppled autocratsin Egypt and Tunisia. At least 15 died when police shot into crowdsof mourners in Libya's second-largest city, a hospital officialsaid.

Rulers in Libya, Yemen dig in

No backing down: Even as Bahrain's king bowed to internationalpressure and withdrew tanks to allow demonstrators to retake asymbolic square in the capital, Libya's Moammar Gadhafi and Yemen'sAli Abdullah Saleh made clear they plan to stamp out opposition andnot be dragged down by the reform movements that have grown innations from Algeria to Djibouti to Jordan.

More deaths: Libyans returned to the street for a fifth straightday of protests against Gadhafi, the most serious uprising in his 42-year reign, despite estimates by human rights groups of 84 deaths inthe North African country - 35 on Friday alone. Saturday's deaths,which pushed the overall toll to 99, occurred when snipers fired onthousands of mourners in Benghazi, a focal point of unrest, as theyattended the funerals of other protesters, a hospital official said.He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. "Many ofthe dead and the injured are relatives of doctors here," he told TheAssociated Press in a telephone interview. "They are crying and Ikeep telling them to please stand up and help us."

Closing off: Earlier, special forces had attacked hundreds ofdemonstrators, including lawyers and judges, who were camped out infront of a courthouse in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city.Authorities also cut off the Internet across Libya, furtherisolating the country.

More violence: In Yemen's capital of Sanaa, riot police openedfire on thousands of protesters, killing one anti-governmentdemonstrator and injuring five others on a 10th day of revoltagainst Saleh, a key U.S. ally in fighting al-Qaida.

Met by police: As on other days earlier this week, protestersmarching from Sanaa's university were met by police and governmentsupporters with clubs and knives who engaged in a stone-throwingbattle with the demonstrators. At one point, police fired in the airto disperse the march.

Toll reaches seven: A medical official, speaking on condition ofanonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, saidone man was shot in the neck and killed, raising the total deathtoll from Yemen protests to seven.

Forces back off in Bahrain

No confrontation: In the tiny island nation of Bahrain, thousandsof joyful protesters streamed back into the capital's central PearlSquare after the armed forces withdrew from the streets followingtwo straight days of a bloody crackdown. The royal family, which wasquick to use force earlier this week against demonstrators in thelandmark square that has been the heart of the anti-governmentdemonstrations, appeared to back away from further confrontationfollowing international pressure.

Changes ahead: The demonstrators have emulated protesters inTunisia and Egypt by attempting to bring political change to thegovernment in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet - thecenterpiece of Washington's efforts to confront Iranian militaryinfluence in the region.

Prince asks for calm: Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa,deputy supreme commander of the armed forces, appealed for calm andpolitical dialogue in a brief address on state TV. As night fell,though, defiant protesters in Pearl Square erected barriers, wired asound system, set up a makeshift medical tent and deployed lookoutsto warn of approaching security forces.

Being careful: Some of the protesters were wary of Bahrain'sleaders, despite the military withdrawal. "Of course we don't trustthem," said Ahmed al-Shaik, a 23-year-old civil servant. "They willprobably attack more and more, but we have no fear now."