Protesters occupying a central square in Bahrain's capital are calling for a third day of rallies to demand sweeping political reforms from the Gulf nation's rulers.

Thousands of demonstrators spent the night in a makeshift tent city in Manama's landmark Pearl Square. Some broke away early Feb 16 to join a funeral procession for a man killed during clashes with riot police a day earlier in the strategic island nation - home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

The rallies began Feb 14 as the first major Arab protests to reach the Gulf after uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

The crowds in Bahrain seek wide-ranging political changes, including breaking the monarchy's grip on appointing top government posts, the Associated Press reported.