MANAMA, Bahrain: Tiny kingdom of Bahrain has been knocked by rioting in majority Shiite areas for a sixth consecutive day in demonstrations that have seen the death of one protester, local press reported Monday.

Shiites account for about 80% of Bahrain's 450,000 citizens, but they do not rule.

Economic disparities between the ruling elite and the poorer majority have contributed to feelings of marginalization among Shiites.

Security forces have fired teargas and rubber bullets in Shiite villages during trouble that erupted following the death on Monday of a young protester who died after a demonstration organized by the opposition, they said.

The 22-year-old man died in hospital after being taken ill at his home after the protest at Jid Hafs, during which he inhaled teargas, an opposition activist told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The Al-Wasat newspaper on Sunday reported a statement by the independent Bahrain Human Rights Association that security forces had made 39 arrests and around a dozen people had been injured during the demonstrations.

Monday's protest was staged by Shiites reportedly demanding compensation for what they said were victims of human rights violations between 1980 and 1990.

The Haq, or Movement of Liberties and Democracy, said in a statement sent to AFP that the security forces continued arresting young Bahrainis on Sunday morning in several Shiite villages west of the capital Manama.

Al-Wasat printed a statement by the main Shiite movement in the Gulf archipelago, the Islamic National Accord Association (INAA), in which it called on the interior ministry to "stop these illegal and inhuman actions... and free the detainees immediately."