Bahrain opposition stages major rally after Obama cites tensions
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Thousands of marchers in Bahrain have joined the largest anti-government protest in months in the violence-gripped Gulf nation.
Sporadic clashes with security forces broke out Friday as more than 10,000 marchers clogged a main highway, but most of the event was peaceful.
The rally was approved by Bahrain's Sunni rulers as part of efforts at outreach with the Shiite-led opposition. But many marchers appeared emboldened by U.S. President Barack Obama's mention of sectarian tensions in Bahrain in his U.N. address earlier this week.
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Bahrain has been hit by nonstop unrest since early 2011 when majority Shiites launched an Arab Spring-inspired uprising for greater political rights.
The island kingdom is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.