Bahrain: Tear gas and stun grenades fired as protests erupt 25 January 2013 Last updated at 16:16 Police have blocked major roads and are using tear gas and stun grenades against anti-government protesters in the Bahraini capital, Manama. Protesters had responded to a call by opposition parties to march in the city. Hundreds of youths had taken to the streets of the old market district of Manama, chanting "no dialogue with killers," an opposition source said. The Interior Ministry had earlier refused permission for the march, tweeting "It is illegal to take part in the rally and action will be taken against violators" The call to demonstrate came despite the opposition's agreement to enter into talks with the government aimed at resolving a political impasse that has seriously damaged Bahrain's economy and led to hundreds of arrests. A spokesman for al Wefaq, the leading opposition party, told the BBC: "Agreeing to dialogue doesn't mean that we stop our protests." He added: "The government says that the rally is illegal, we don't believe it is. We have the right to protest peacefully in Manama. On Sunday, the opposition had agreed to enter into talks with the government, but stressed they must be "meaningful." The continuing protests against the government should come as no surprise. The opposition parties are increasingly losing control of the streets to a shadowy youth movement called 14 February. Their call for the rally may have been an attempt to reassert authority. If that was the case it has badly backfired. The ongoing disturbances provide ammunition for hardliners on both sides and push the possibility of meaningful talks even further into the distance. Khalil al-Marzook, of Wefaq, told the BBC on Monday that the movement was "ready to partner with the ruling family and the community to find solutions." On 14 February 2011, peaceful protesters took over an iconic Bahraini monument, Pearl Roundabout.