Activist: 'Bahrain almost a war zone away from F1'

A human rights activist has said Bahrain is "almost a war zone" away from the circuit for the controversial F1 race in the Gulf state.

Armoured vehicles are patrolling the capital Manama ahead of the event, which the government says will go ahead.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have taken to the streets to demand democracy and an end to the crackdown on dissents.