Bahraini police fired tear gas Saturday to disperse an anti-regime protest at Pearl Square in the capital Manama, shortly after the army pulled out of the area, an AFP journalist reported.

Crowds of demonstrators arrived in the square by car or on foot shortly after military vehicles that had been deployed there after a deadly police raid withdrew.

At least three demonstrators were arrested.

Bahraini troops and armoured vehicles on Saturday left a Manama square that had been a base for anti-government protesters, hours after opposition groups said they would not heed a royal call for dialogue unless the military stood down.

A Reuters television producer said the army had completely withdrawn from Pearl Square. About 10 police cars were waiting nearby while the withdrawal took place.