Updated 11.49 p.m.

Five Libyans and a Syrian were granted bail tonight after being arraigned in court and accused of having assaulted, resisted or disobeyed police orders during a protest near the Libyan embassy. They are alleged to have been involved in clashes with policemen who sought to keep apart Gaddafi supporters and those who oppose the regime.

Mohannid Gardazin, a 29-year-old Syrian who lives in St Paul’s Bay and Libyans Ali Bodhir, 35, of Paola, Sladeddin Said, 40 and Mazin Abdusakam, 23, of St Paul’s Bay, Isa Ali Makaomi, 32, of Msida, and Ittaruni Abdulla, 30, of Attard, all anti-Gaddafi protesters, were also accused of having held a demonstration without a police permit. One was accused of incitement to commit a crime.

All were arrested during the clashes with the police. They pleaded not guilty.

In a statement, the police said some of the anti-Gaddafi protesters had thrown stones across the Rabat road at the Gaddafi supporters who were gathered outside the Libyan embassy, and policemen had to intervene.

Later, the anti-Gaddafi protesters disobeyed police orders and tried to cross the road to reach the Gaddafi supporters in front of the embassy. The police intervened again. Some of the protesters blocked the road but the police eventually managed to restore order.

The Gaddafi supporters were then asked by the police to enter the embassy while the protesters were asked to leave. "Not all the protesters cooperated."

The Gaddafi supporters were taken out of the embassy in a bus under police escort amid further arguments between the rival groups.

Full story and video at:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110321/local/pro-and-anti-gaddafi-protesters-almost-clash-outside-embassy