Yemen: New Protests, Opposition Negotiates Reforms
By MISNA
Protests are continuing and bringing tens of thousands of people to the streets of Yemen’s capital Sana’a against the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, reports MISNA.
Around 3,000 people took the central streets today, carrying posters and demanding the resignation of the President.
“After Mubarak, Saleh”, chanted the protesters, including numerous students and civil society representatives, while some 500 people gathered outside the University and attempted to reach Tahrir Square, in front of the government building.
Protests are underway also in the industrial cities of Taiz and Aden, where security forces fired shots in the air to disperse the crowds.
Rights groups denounced the “disproportionate use of force” against the activists with batons and tasers.
The opposition announced the opening of dialogue with the government, in light of concessions and social and political reforms promised in the past weeks by the President.
Saleh, in power for 32 years, on February 2 – after the first demonstrations – announced that he will not run for re-election in 2013 and will not transfer powers to his son Ahmed Ali, who heads the special forces.
