Yemen Police clashed with demonstrators who marched yesterday for the third straight day to demand political reform and the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, inspired by the events in Egypt. Several thousands of opponents, including many college students, tried to reach a central plaza in the capital Sanaa, but police armed with batons were forced to retreat.
The protesters chanted "people want to overthrow the regime." Saleh has spent three decades in power and has tried to reduce tension by promising he will not stand for another term when the existing finish in 2013. Witnesses said several protesters were injured and 23 were arrested by police.
They said plainclothes police with knives and sticks joined security forces to evict the protesters. On Saturday, protesters had tried to reach the Tahrir Square (Liberation), but the police stopped him. Members of the ruling party reached the place in buses with tents, food and water, to prevent the opposition from gaining ground.
Yesterday, local officials were distributed "qat", a plant whose leaves Yemenis chew as a stimulant, the civil police and government supporters who spent the night in the square. Police set up barbed wire around the square to avoid it being taken by the demonstrators. 
The protesters chanted "people want to overthrow the regime." Saleh has spent three decades in power and has tried to reduce tension by promising he will not stand for another term when the existing finish in 2013. Witnesses said several protesters were injured and 23 were arrested by police.
They said plainclothes police with knives and sticks joined security forces to evict the protesters. On Saturday, protesters had tried to reach the Tahrir Square (Liberation), but the police stopped him. Members of the ruling party reached the place in buses with tents, food and water, to prevent the opposition from gaining ground.
Yesterday, local officials were distributed "qat", a plant whose leaves Yemenis chew as a stimulant, the civil police and government supporters who spent the night in the square. Police set up barbed wire around the square to avoid it being taken by the demonstrators.
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