Bahrain opposition says leader's house tear-gassed

Bahrain's largest opposition group says security forces have fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the house of its top leader during attempts to disperse anti-government protesters.

Al Wefaq said in a statement today that riot troops fired on the house of the group's leader, Ali Salman, during security sweeps last night in mostly Shiite villages around the capital, Manama.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Sunni-ruled Bahrain's security forces clash almost daily with Shiite protesters demanding greater rights. Over 30 people have been reported killed in eight months of protests and crackdown.

Yesterday's violence comes amid heightened tensions ahead of today's World Cup qualifier match between Iran and Bahrain in Manama. Opposition supporters resent the purge of several Shiite players from the national team.