Bahrain lifted martial law on Wednesday in what the government hopes will be a sign to tourists and business of a return to normal, but the opposition fears repression will continue in the Gulf island kingdom.
Bahrain is especially keen to get back the Formula One race. The March Grand Prix opener was cancelled because of unrest that erupted in February when pro-democracy protesters, inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, clashed with police.
A meeting of the sport's governing body on Friday could reinstate the race for later this year, but US-based Human Rights Watch has said a heavy crackdown on opposition activists during 11 weeks of martial law should count in the decision.
The dusty streets of the capital, Manama, were calm on Wednesday, but in outlying Shia villages there was heavy anti-riot police presence, according to online activists.
Police were checking cars around the capital and villages.
"With the end of the emergency situation, the security would not be here but they still are," said Ali Zirazdi, a 30 year-old unemployed man, who said police had fired tear gas after a few hundred people gathered in the Shia village of Diraz.
"The security presence is even stronger ... their approach now is as soon as they hear of any protest in advance, they come down to stop it from happening."
King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, whose Sunni Muslim family rules over a majority Shia population, offered a dialogue on reform in a speech on Tuesday.
While the king spoke, military prosecutors summoned four members of the main opposition party Wefaq, including its leader, and rights activist Nabeel Rajab, for questioning. They were released after several hours, acquaintances said.
"The end of the national security law and announcement of dialogue are both positive. It will be a shame if anyone is negative about it," said Jamal Fakhro, a Sunni lawmaker.
"Bahrain will welcome Formula One, and any other event. There's nothing wrong with that because life is back to normal now and it will be excellent to have it back."
On a wall filled with anti-government graffiti in Diraz were the words: "If you really claim you want dialogue you have to open up the streets", and "Down with the ruling gang!"-Reuters
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