Saturday, April 16, 2011

Yemen: demonstrators injured by supporters of President Saleh

Several cities in Yemen are the scene of demonstrations of opposition to President Saleh Friday, April 15. Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched against the regime in Sana'a and in the cities of Aden and Taiz in the south. In Taiz, Yemen's second largest city 200 km south of Sana'a, the protesters were targeted by gunfire of armed supporters of the regime that marched, eight of them were injured.

Clashes were also reported on the main avenue of Taiz when protesters tried to stop supporters of Mr Saleh to gather for Muslim prayers Friday. Earlier, a crowd of faithful, President Saleh was dismissed out of hand calls for his resignation by ensuring that the people he represents "constitutional legitimacy".

He called the opposition, which continues to call for his immediate departure from power, to engage in dialogue to preserve stability in the country. "We invite the opposition to listen to his conscience and to engage in dialogue and reach an agreement for the safety and stability of the country," said the Yemeni president during a speech before thousands of supporters.

Saleh, in power for thirty-two, is heckled by the street since late January. Demonstrations against his regime have done over a hundred dead. Street Friday received the support of some influential people of the country. Clerics and tribal leaders recognized Yemeni and originally called "immediate" President Saleh.

"The president must meet the demands of the peaceful revolt of young people, primarily his immediate departure and that of all its close military and security organs" they lead, says a press release issued at the end of a meeting Thursday in Sana'a. Participants at the meeting warned that if the president does not resign "soon", they "take the lead in demonstrations and sit-ins in all provinces" of the country.

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