MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) - Protesters demanding sweeping political reforms from Bahrain's rulers held their ground Wednesday in an Egypt-style occupation of the capital's landmark square, staging a third day of demonstrations that have brought unprecedented pressure on one of Washington's key allies in the Gulf.
Security forces have pulled back sharply - apparently on orders to ease tensions - after clashes that left at least two people dead and dozens injured. Police helicopters, however, flew low over a major funeral procession for one of those killed in which mourners called him a "martyr" and pledged more protests in the island nation - home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.
Thousands of people spent the night in a makeshift tent camp in Manama's Pearl Square, which has been swarmed by demonstrators, some draping themselves in the Bahraini flag. One demonstrator used a bullhorn to urge protesters to remain until their demands are met, as the Arab wave for change takes hold in the Gulf.
The protests began Monday as a cry for the country's Sunni monarchy to loosen its grip, including hand-picking most top government posts, and open more opportunities for the country's majority Shiites, who have long complained of being blocked from decision-making roles.
Egypt death toll put at 365
At least 365 people died in the 18 days of anti-government protests that pushed out longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, the Health Ministry said Wednesday in the first official accounting of the death toll.
Minister Ahmed Sameh Farid said it was only a preliminary count of civilians killed and did not include police or prisoners. And while Mubarak is gone, frustration with the quality of life - from working conditions to environmental concerns - has kept demonstrators in the streets as the economy continues to falter.
Clashes spread to Libya
Egypt-inspired unrest spread against Libya's longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday, with riot police clashing with protesters in the second-largest city of Benghazi and marchers setting fire to security headquarters and a police station in the city of Zentan, witnesses said.
The Benghazi protest began Tuesday and lasted until around 4 a.m. Wednesday. The protest was relatively small, but it signaled that anti-government activists have been emboldened by uprisings elsewhere.
Yemen confrontation
Authorities flooded the streets of Yemen's capital with 2,000 police Wednesday to try to halt six days of Egypt-style demonstrations against the president of 32 years, a key U.S. ally in battling al-Qaida. One person was killed when police and protesters clashed in the southern port of Aden in the first known death during Yemen's political unrest.
The police fired in the air and blocked thousands of students at Sanaa University from joining thousands of other protesters in the capital.
Iraqi offices burned
About 2,000 demonstrators attacked government offices in a southern Iraqi province, ripping up pavement stones to hurl at a regional council headquarters in a protest over shoddy public services that left dozens of people injured, officials said.
The demonstration was among the most dramatic since Iraqis began venting their anger about dysfunctional government at all levels in relatively small protests across the country - an echo of the tumult happening across the Arab world. Unlike other countries demanding democracy or regime change, however, demonstrators in Iraq have focused on unemployment, corruption and a lack of electricity.
Iranian opposition defiant
Iran's opposition leaders remained defiant Wednesday despite calls from hard-liners for them to be brought to trial and put to death, with one reform advocate saying he was willing to "pay any price" in pursuit of democratic change.