Fresh protests in Yemen
By IANSTuesday, March 1, 2011
SANA’A - Thousands of anti-government protesters Tuesday gathered outside the Sana’a University here to demand the ouster of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a media report said.
Thousands of government loyalists have also gathered in the city’s Tahrir Square in a counter-demonstration, CNN reported.
The demonstrations come a day after the country’s main opposition group rejected Saleh’s call to form a unity government until elections are held to replace him.
“The opposition will not enter a unity government with the ruling party and will stand with the demands of the people,” CNN quoted Mohammed Al-Qubati, the spokesman for the Joint Meeting Parties, as saying Monday.
Saleh met Monday with the members of the opposition groups to discuss the possibility of forming a coalition government. But CNN, citing sources, said no agreement had been reached.
Leaders of two prominent tribal groups, the Hashid-dominated National Solidarity Council and the Baqil tribe, said Saturday that they would send members to join the protests calling for Saleh’s resignation, according to the CNN. Saleh is a member of the Hashid tribe.
On Sunday, the Joint Meeting Parties called for demonstrations Tuesday. This is the first time it has called on its supporters to rally since Feb 3.
Opposition to Saleh has gathered momentum in the wake of violent confrontations between security forces and protesters Friday, when thousands of anti-government protesters demonstrated in Sana’a, Aden and elsewhere in the country, the broadcaster said. The clashes left four people dead and 26 wounded, according to medical officials.
