News / Middle East

Rival Rallies Unfold in Yemen

Anti-government protesters attend a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sana'a, August 26, 2011
Anti-government protesters attend a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sana'a, August 26, 2011
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Thousands of protesters have rallied in towns across Yemen, calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Pro-government demonstrators also rallied, carrying pictures of Saleh and urging him to stay in office.

The rival protests took place Friday in cities that include the capital, Sana'a, the southern city of Taiz, and smaller towns.  

State-run news reports say government loyalists converged outside of a mosque in the capital after Friday prayers.

Saleh is in Saudi Arabia, where his is recovering from wounds he suffered in a June attack on his presidential compound. Last week, he vowed to return to Yemen "soon."

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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