Protests start in Yemen, despite concession from president

[jannyk]

Source: CNN (online)

Sanaa,Yemen (CNN) -- What seemed like thousands of anti-government protesters gathered near Sanaa University in Yemen's capital early Thursday morning, a clear indication that many in the country were not satisfied with President Ali Abdullah Saleh's recent announcement that he would not seek re-election.

Protesters of all ages chanted and held signs with messages against poverty and the government. Some proclaimed that Saleh needed to step down.

As the protest quickly grew, there was very litte visible security in the area.

Demonstrators had said they would continue Thursday with a planned "Day of Rage" march in Yemen despite Saleh's concession Saleh on Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/03/yemen.protests/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

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BBC article on Yemen's 'Day of Rage' here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12353479

"Yemen protests: 20,000 call for President Saleh to go"

The gathering is the largest in two weeks of protests inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

Meanwhile, President Saleh's supporters are due to hold rallies of their own.

Unemployment in Yemen runs at 40%, and there are rising food prices and acute levels of malnutrition. Some 40% of the population live on less than $2 (£1.25) a day.

[whosinpower]

1. And another one falls nt

[Joanne98]

2. Yemenis square off in rival 'Day of Rage' protests

(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Yemenis squared off in street protests for and against the government on Thursday during an opposition-led "Day of Rage", a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh offered to step down in 2013.

Anti-government activists drew more than 20,000 in Sanaa, the biggest crowd since a wave of protests hit the Arabian Peninsula state two weeks ago, inspired by demonstrations that toppled Tunisia's ruler and threaten Egypt's president.

But an equally large pro-Saleh protest also picked up steam, and supporters of the president who has ruled Yemen for more than three decades drove around the capital urging Yemenis over loudspeakers to join their counter-demonstrations.

The protests in Sanaa fizzled out by midday, with demonstrators on both sides dispersing peacefully ahead of a traditional afternoon break to chew qat, a mild stimulant leaf widely consumed in Yemen.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/03/idINIndia-54628720110203

[4_TN_TITANS]

3. "afternoon break to chew qat"??

They stopped protesting for what sounds like the equivalent of a coffee break? They don't sound serious enough to actually go the distance.