MANAMA, March. 11 (Xinhua) Several international food chains and outlets owned by Shiite businessmen were reportedly closed Thursday ahead of Friday's anti-government march.

Food chains like Dairy Queen, Papa John's, among others were shut down early after a group of men asked the staff to close down the outlet and leave immediately.

A source confirmed to Xinhua that a 24-hour supermarket in West Riffa run by a prominent Shi'ite businessman was closed, after a group of men carrying sticks asked the staff to leave.

This comes ahead of an anti-government march on Friday organized by Coalition for Bahraini Republic. Protestors are expected to gather outside the Royal Court, demanding the ouster of the regime and democratic election of a new government.

The new group Coalition for Bahraini Republic includes Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy, Al Wafa Islamic Society and London-based Bahrain Freedom movement.

Leading opposition figure Shaikh Hassan Mushaima, who returned last month from Britain following a royal pardon, is a key member to lead the movement.

Gulf Arab foreign ministers on Thursday earmarked 20 billion U. S. dollars in financial aid to Bahrain and Oman as an effort to control the unrest that has hit the two states.