Thousands of people are occupying the centre of the Bahraini capital on a third day of anti-government protests.

The numbers of those who had camped out overnight in Manama's Pearl Square were swelled by many who joined the protests throughout the day.

Security forces have pulled back to ease tensions after previous days' clashes left two dead and dozens injured in the Gulf kingdom.

The protesters are calling for wide-ranging political reforms.

Bahrain is a key US ally, hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. The US has expressed concern at the violence and called for restraint.

Wednesday saw more than 1,000 people attend the funeral in Manama of a man who was killed on Tuesday during clashes with police at the funeral of another protester. Mourners chanted slogans calling for the removal of the government.