Dozens arrested in Yemen anti-government protests

SANAA - Dozens of people protesting against the government were arrested as the military attempted to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in a province in Yemen, a councillor said here Thursday.

Five protesters were hurt during the clash with the security forces.

Those arrested included prominent opposition leaders.

Soldiers prevented the protesters from gathering in downtown Atak, the provincial capital of Shabwa, the councillor told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

\”The protesters were chanting slogans against the government\’s political and economic policies. They also demanded the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh,\” he added.

Shabwa, about 450 km southeast of the capital Sanaa, is considered to be a stronghold of hundreds of Al Qaida militants.

In Sanaa Wednesday, anti-government protesters, including students, gathered outside Sanaa University, raising banners and shouting slogans demanding the long-serving president to step down and leave the country.

Inspired by the Tunisia-style revolution, hundreds of protesters stormed the streets in Sanaa and other major cities over the previous nine days, demanding the ouster of their president, who has been in power for 32 years, Xinhua said.

On Sunday, Saleh announced on the state TV that he will step down after his second presidential term expires in 2013.