Thursday, January 27, 2011

Yemen protesters demand change of government

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 27 January 2011 09.40 GMT Article history

Opposition supporters wave roses during an anti-government protest in Sana\'a. Photograph: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Thousands of Yemenis today took to the streets of the capital, Sana\'a, to demand a change of government, inspired by the unrest that has ousted the Tunisian leader and spread to Egypt.

The people want a change in president,\" protesters chanted at Sana\'a University in one of a series of demonstrations across the city – the largest in a wave of anti-government protests.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key ally of the US in a battle against the resurgent Yemeni arm of al-Qaida, has ruled the Arabian peninsula state for more than 30 years.

At least 10,000 protesters gathered at the university, with about 6,000 more elsewhere in Sana\'a. The demonstrations were organised by Yemen\'s opposition coalition, witnesses said. Police watched, but no clashes were reported.

Protesters said they were demanding improvements in living conditions as well as political change. One banner read: \"Enough playing around, enough corruption, look at the gap between poverty and wealth.\"

A pro-government protest, organised by Yemen\'s ruling party in another district of Sana\'a, attracted a few hundred demonstrators.

At least 100 troops from Yemen\'s security forces spread across a square where many banks are located, although no protesters were seen there.

Yemen is struggling with soaring unemployment and dwindling oil and water reserves. Almost half its 23 million people live on $2 or less a day, and one-third suffer from chronic hunger.

\"We are partners in this nation and we won\'t submit to exclusion,\" protesters chanted. \"Look at Tunis and what it did. Yemen\'s people are stronger.\" .

Saleh tried to calm discontent last week by proposing constitutional amendments, including presidential term limits of two terms of five or seven years


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