One protester killed in Yemen anti-government demonstration

One protester killed in Yemen anti-government demonstration

2011-02-16 23:46:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- One protester was killed and at least eight others wounded after clashing with police in the southern port city of Aden in Yemen on Wednesday, The Yemen Post reported.

Protesters calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down and separate the south from the north burned four vehicles and set on fire the local authority headquarters in the al-Mansoura neighbourhood of Aden. Witnesses said security forces tried to disperse the demonstrators using tear gas, batons and stun guns.

Protests were also reported in the capital where 10 people were wounded in clashes between student protesters and government supporters.

Anti-government protests, inspired by the Egyptian uprising, continue to demand the resignation of President Saleh across Yemen. The government is tightening security as more citizens continue to join rallies to protest against high unemployment rates, corruption, and inadequate living conditions.

On Tuesday, about 1,000 protesters marching to the presidential residence in Sana'a were attacked by pro-government supporters after riot police prevented them from reaching the palace.

Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said that the country will not fall in political crises similar to those in Tunisia and Egypt because Yemen has conducted dialogue with the opposition, the state-run Saba news agency reported Tuesday.

Yemen has been witnessing protests since Tunisian ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali escaped to Saudi Arabia and they have gathered momentum with the success of Egypt's revolution.

President Saleh, who has been in power since 1978, pledged earlier this month not to seek his reelection in 2013 or hand over power to his son.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-02-16