Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in Yemen Saturday, a day after four people were reportedly killed when government forces fired on opposition activists.
Demonstrators demanding the immediate resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh gathered in the capital, Sana'a, and the southern city of Aden. The French news agency, AFP, quotes witnesses who say Yemeni security forces fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered for a sit-in near a mosque in Aden.
On Friday, Shi'ite rebel leaders said four people were killed and at least seven injured when government forces opened fire on demonstrators near the northern town of Harf Sofyan.
President Saleh on Saturday reiterated his plans to remain in office until his term ends in 2013. A statement released by his office says a smooth transition of power will not be carried out through "chaos" but through "the will of the people expressed through elections."
On Thursday, opposition groups presented Mr. Saleh with a plan for a transition of power, in an effort to end the political crisis that has gripped the country since February.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
