After anti-government protesters defied Bahraini security forces' efforts to dislodge them from Manama's main square, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa Wednesday, Feb. 16, asked for Saudi help,DEBKAfile reveals. Riyadh has meanwhile stepped up security in the oil-rich Shiite regions of eastern Saudi Arabia. Jordan is confronted with the first outbreaks of Bedouin disaffection with the crown, Syria has geared up for Friday's Day of Anger and Libyan police fired tear gas and rubber bullets against first protesters in Benghazi.