The King of Bahrain has declared a three month state of emergency, effectively killing off any hope of the country hosting a Grand Prix this year.

Following continued unrest which yesterday culminated in Saudi Arabia sending in its own 'security forces' to quell the trouble, it is understood that further trouble has erupted with a protestor and a member of the Bahraini security forces believed dead.

Last week the FIA announced that it would give Bahrain until May 1 before deciding whether a new slot could be found on the calendar. The King now appears to have made the decision for the sport's governing body.

Bahrain's Shiite majority is seeking sweeping reforms against the Sunni rulers and as Saudi security forces enter the country it is worth noting that a spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, has described the Saudi presence as "unacceptable".

Shiites account for around 70 percent of Bahrain's population, but for the most part are excluded from high-level political or security posts. Amongst other thing, the protesters are demanding the repeal of a government policy to offset the Shiite demographic advantage by giving citizenship and jobs to Sunnis from other Arab nations and South Asia.

One Pitpass source in Bahrain claims that the FIA's recent announcement may have helped contribute to the escalation of the unrest. "The worst thing is that the FIA by setting the date for a decision set a count down to this without realizing it," said the source. "It is their timetable we are now working to and the Crown Price is desperate to hold the Grand Prix. To be fair he has for years pushed for change, but with modern media, the internet, free speech the need for change and with others around him dragging their feet, this is where we find ourselves. People's desires always move faster than governments, wherever they are."