Political unrest in Yemen

Tens of thousands of Yemenis take to the streets on March 31, 2011 in the town of Ibb, 190 kms southwest of Sanaa, calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh as defections from his regime have multiplied since a bloodbath in Sanaa on March 18 when 52 protesters were gunned down by the president's loyalists, drawing widespread international condemnation. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-government protestors embrace and kiss Yemeni army officers who joined a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, March 31, 2011. Mass protests have been shaking Yemen for weeks, with demonstrators inspired by successful uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia seeking the ouster of their own autocratic ruler, President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has served for 32 years. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protestors shout slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa,Yemen, Sunday, March 27, 2011. Islamic militants seized control of a weapons factory and a nearby town in Yemen's south Sunday, said a witness and security officials, as political turmoil around the country causes security to unravel. Arabic reads on the headbands of the demonstrators from right, \" I am the coming martyr\", \" Leave\". (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh speaks to his supporters in Sanaa March 25, 2011, in this still image taken from video footage. Saleh said on Friday he was ready to cede power to stop more bloodshed in Yemen but only to what he called \"safe hands\" as tens of thousands rallied against him in \"Day of Departure\" protests. REUTERS/Yemen state TV via Reuters TV (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS PROFILE CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY) THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. YEMEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN YEMEN

Supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh gather a top of a traffic billboard holding his posters during a rally to support Saleh in Sanaa,Yemen, Friday, March 25, 2011. Facing growing calls for his resignation, Yemen's longtime ruler told tens of thousands of supporters Friday that he's ready to leave power but he doesn't trust his opposition, whom he called \"drug dealers. Ali Abdullah Saleh spoke in a rare appearance before a cheering crowd outside his presidential palace in the Yemeni capital Friday on a day of dueling demonstrations. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Anti-government protestors demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, carry the bodies of Mohammed Ahmed, bottom and Mujahed Abdul Haq, who were killed last Friday in clashes with Yemeni security forces, during their funeral procession in Sanaa,Yemen, Friday, March 25, 2011. Facing growing calls for his resignation, Yemen's longtime ruler told tens of thousands of supporters Friday that he's ready to leave power but he doesn't trust his opposition, whom he called \"drug dealers. Ali Abdullah Saleh spoke in a rare appearance before a cheering crowd outside his presidential palace in the Yemeni capital Friday on a day of dueling demonstrations. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A Yemeni army officer, center, shouts slogans along with anti-government protestor during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa,Yemen, Friday, March 25, 2011. Facing growing calls for his resignation, Yemen's longtime ruler told tens of thousands of supporters Friday that he's ready to leave power but he doesn't trust his opposition, whom he called \"drug dealers. Ali Abdullah Saleh spoke in a rare appearance before a cheering crowd outside his presidential palace in the Yemeni capital Friday on a day of dueling demonstrations. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A Yemeni girl, center, shouts slogans along with female anti-government protestors during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa,Yemen, Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Yemen's parliament enacted sweeping emergency laws Wednesday after the country's embattled president asked for new powers of arrest, detention and censorship to quash a popular uprising demanding his ouster. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Members of Yemen's parliament raise their hands as they vote in favour of the state of emergency declared by President Ali Abdullah Saleh last week in Sanaa March 23, 2011. Yemen opposition groups called on protesters to march on Saleh's Sanaa palace on Friday to force him out, hoping to end a crisis his allies abroad fear will benefit Islamic militants. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A Yemeni army soldier is kissed by a demonstrator after receiving flowers while standing guard to protect anti-government protesters during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa March 23. 2011.Yemen opposition groups called on protesters to march on Saleh's Sanaa palace on Friday to force him out, hoping to end a crisis his allies abroad fear will benefit Islamic militants. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Yemeni armoured personnel carriers (APC's) are deployed outside the Central Bank in Sanaa on March 21, 2011 as a dangerous split opened between the military leadership after top generals joined the revolt against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-government protesters perform prayers inside their tent during a sit-in to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa March 21, 2011. Top generals, ambassadors and some tribes threw their support behind Yemen's anti-government protesters on Monday in a major blow to Saleh's efforts to ride out demands for his immediate exit. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Yemeni army officers react as they join anti-government protestors demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa,Yemen, Monday, March 21, 2011. Three Yemeni army commanders, including a top general, defected Monday to the opposition calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, as army tanks and armored vehicles deployed in support of thousands protesting in the capital. With the defection, it appeared Saleh's support was eroding from every power base in the nation _ his own tribe called on him to step down, he fired his entire Cabinet ahead of what one government official said was a planned mass resignation, and his ambassador to the U.N. and human rights minister quit. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Mourners pray during the funeral of anti-government protesters in Sanaa March 20, 2011. Snipers killed up to 42 protesters among crowds that flocked to a sit-in at Sanaa University after Friday prayers. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

A Yemeni girl wearing a headband that reads in Arabic: \" I am the coming martyr\", is held by her mother during the funeral procession of demonstrators who were killed on Friday's clashes with Yemeni security forces, in Sanaa,Yemen, Sunday, March 20, 2011. The Yemeni president's own tribe has called on him to step down after a deadly crackdown on protesters, robbing the embattled U.S.-backed leader of vital support in a society dominated by blood ties. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

An anti-government protestor reacts as he and others wait for the bodies of the demonstrators who were killed in Friday's clashes with Yemeni security forces, during their funeral procession in Sanaa,Yemen, Sunday, March 20, 2011. The Yemeni president's own tribe has called on him to step down after a deadly crackdown on protesters, robbing the embattled U.S.-backed leader of vital support in a society dominated by blood ties. Arabic on right hand reads 'Leave', and left hand reads '70' referring to a government area. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

epa02641865 Yemeni anti-government protesters are seen at the site of recent bloody clashes between security forces and protesters in Sana'a, Yemen, 19 March 2011. Yemeni army and security forces blanketed Sana'a, enforcing a state of emergency imposed by Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh as protests continued across Yemen a day after Saleh announced a nationwide state of emergency, following an assault on protesters in the capital, Sana'a, in which 50 people died and hundreds were injured. Thousands of Yemeni anti-regime protesters took to the streets again on 19 March demanding an immediate end of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year old rule. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Yemeni anti-government protesters carry away a wounded youth in Sanaa March 18, 2011 as 46 comrades were killed and scores wounded when pro-regime loyalists and police opened fire on them. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Wounded anti-government protestors lay on the ground as they received medical help at a field hospital during clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, March 18, 2011. Yemeni security forces fired from rooftops at protesters as some tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in central Sanaa, killing at least 31 protesters. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

An anti-government protestor wearing a helmet and swimming goggles shouts slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, March 18, 2011. Yemeni security forces firing from rooftops and houses shot at tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators, killing at least 31 as the protesters entered a downtown square in the capital to demand the ouster of their autocratic president. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protestors carry wounded protestors from the site of clashes in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, March 18, 2011. Yemeni security forces firing from rooftops and houses shot at tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators, killing at least 31 as the protesters entered a downtown square in the capital to demand the ouster of their autocratic president. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

An anti-government protestor shouts with blood on his hands during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, March 18, 2011. Yemeni security forces firing from rooftops and houses shot at tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators, killing dozens as the protesters entered a downtown square in the capital to demand the ouster of their autocratic president. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A Yemeni wraps the face of a dead anti-government protestors in a mosque, during clashes with security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, March 18, 2011. Yemeni security forces fired from rooftops at protesters as some tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in central Sanaa, killing at least 31 protesters. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Yemeni government supporters mingle with riot police in background, as they block the route for anti-government protestors, seen in foreground, as they face-off against each other during clashes between the factions in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, March 13, 2011. Police on rooftops fired live rounds and tear gas on protesters Sunday, injuring more than 100 who were camping near Sanaa University calling for the Yemeni president to step down. Wielding clubs and knives, police and government supporters also attacked protesters from the ground, said Mohammed al-Abahi, a doctor in charge of makeshift hospital near the university.(AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protestors carry a wounded protestor to be taken for a nearby field hospital following clashes with Yemeni police in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, March 12, 2011. Yemeni security forces stormed a square early Saturday where thousands of pro-democracy protesters have been camped out for the past month, firing tear gas and live ammunition during a pre-dawn raid that killed at least one person, doctors and witnesses said. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh waves to supporters gathered in a soccer stadium where he delivered his speech, in Sanaa March 10, 2011. Saleh, hoping to defuse increasingly violent protests against his 32-year rule, said on Thursday he would draw up a new constitution to create a parliamentary system of government. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the southern city of al-Habileen March 10, 2011. Saleh, hoping to defuse increasingly violent protests against his 32-year rule, said on Thursday he would draw up a new constitution to create a parliamentary system of government. The banner (rear R) reads: \"The people want the regime to fall.\" REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

An anti-government protestor looks on while taking part in a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, March 10, 2011. Yemen's embattled president proposed Thursday that the government draw up a new constitution guaranteeing the independence of the parliament and judiciary, but thousands of unsatisfied protesters poured into the streets after his speech to demand his ouster. The demonstrators have set up protest camps in the capital and the cities of Aden and Taiz, saying they won't leave until U.S.-backed leader Ali Abdullah Saleh does. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Yemeni soldiers who were allegedly wounded during clashes with anti-regime protesters the night before, rest at a hospital in the capital Sanaa on March 9, 2011. AFP PHOTO/GAMAL NOMAN (Photo credit should read GAMAL NOMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Women flash the victory sign during a rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh outside Sanaa University March 8, 2011. Yemeni protests demanding an end to Saleh's 32-year rule spread to a tribal area considered his political stronghold on Tuesday, and military vehicles deployed in the capital. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Anti-government protestors throw a boy into the air during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, March 7, 2011. Government supporters wielding knives and handguns attack protesters in the country's south, leaving one dead in the latest of weeks of demonstrations demanding the president step down. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

An anti-government protester prays during a rally to demand for the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, outside Sanaa University March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Anti-government protesters rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the southern city of Taiz March 4, 2011. Saleh rejected an opposition plan for him to transfer power this year, as demonstrations against his three-decade rule over the impoverished nation swelled into hundreds of thousands. REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Female supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh chant slogans during a rally to support Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, March 3, 2011. President Ali Abdullah Saleh called U.S. homeland security adviser John Brennan on Wednesday to express his regret for any misunderstanding caused by his public accusations that the U.S. and Israel are behind the unrest threatening his 32-year rule. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A Yemeni boy waves his national flag as anti-government protestors chant slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, March 3, 2011. Two anti-government protesters are shot and killed in southern Yemen. A hospital official says the deaths occured during demonstrations in the town of Sadr, in the province of Lahaj. Protesters also clash with government supporters and security forces in the Red Sea city of Hodeida. Thirteen protesters are injured in confrontations that included the use of sticks and rocks. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

An anti-government protestor, left, sprays foam to cool off other demonstrators shouting slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Yemen's embattled president on Tuesday accused the U.S., his closest ally, of instigating the mounting protests against him, but the gambit failed to slow the momentum for his ouster. Banner on right reads in Arabic, \"I would rather die but my people live\". (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protesters look at a police vehicle which they had set ablaze during a protest demanding the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the southern port city of Aden March 2, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

An anti-government protestor reacts as he and other demonstrators shout slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Yemen's embattled president has accused the United States and Israel of trying to destabilize his country and the Arab world. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Female anti-government protestors look at a defaced poster of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, during a demonstration demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Yemen's embattled president suffered back-to-back blows: hundreds of thousands called for his ouster in the largest anti-government rallies yet and two powerful chiefs from his own tribe abandoned him. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Yemenis anti-government protesters demonstrate for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh on February 27, 2011 in Sanaa. Saleh vowed today to defend his three-decade regime \"with every drop of blood\", accusing opponents of hijacking gathering protests in a ploy to split the nation. AFP PHOTO / AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

An elderly anti-government protestor reacts holding up his dagger during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Yemen's embattled president suffered back-to-back blows: hundreds of thousands called for his ouster in the largest anti-government rallies yet and two powerful chiefs from his own tribe abandoned him. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Protesters hold up pieces of bread with the word \"Leave!\" on them during an anti-government rally outside Sanaa University February 26, 2011. Two more people died overnight after being shot during anti-government protests in Yemen's southern city of Aden, a doctor said on Saturday. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST FOOD)

An anti-government protestor shouts slogans along with other demonstrators during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. Yemeni security forces opened fire on thousands of demonstrators in the southern port city of Aden after Friday's Muslim prayer services, wounding at least 19 people, in the latest confrontation with crowds pressing for the U.S.-backed president's ouster. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

epa02601392 Yemeni anti-government protesters attend the Friday prayer during a protest in Sana'a, Yemen, on 25 February 2011. At least nine people were wounded after security forces opened fire at anti-government protesters in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on 25 February, witnesses said. Seven people were wounded after police opened fire at demonstrators in Khur Maksar, a journalist said by phone. Meanwhile tens of the thousands of government backers and anti-government protesters attended separate rallies in the capital Sana'a. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Anti-government protesters attend a rally in Taiz February 25, 2011. Tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh held rival demonstrations in the capital Sanaa on Friday, in a test of support for the veteran leader's 32-year rule. REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

epa02599368 Yemeni anti-regime women protesters shout slogans during a protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 24 February 2011. According to local media sources, after a two-week escalation in violence between supporters and opponents of the government, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered his security forces to protect anti-regime protesters trying to end his 32-year rule. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

A protester holds up a picture of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh as he shouts slogans during an anti-government rally outside Sanaa University February 24, 2011. Saleh has ordered his security forces to protect demonstrators trying to end his 32-year rule,a statement said. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

epa02599344 A masked Yemeni anti-regime protester takes part in a protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 24 February 2011. According to local media sources, after a two-week escalation in violence between supporters and opponents of the government, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered his security forces to protect anti-regime protesters trying to end his 32-year rule. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Yemeni anti-government protesters take part in a demonstration calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh in the capital Sanaa on February 23, 2011. Thousands of Yemeni anti-regime demonstrators chanted defiantly after government loyalists shot two of them dead, while eight ruling party MPs resigned over the suppression of protests. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Yemeni anti-government protestors chant slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. Yemen's embattled leader rejects demands that he step down, calling demonstrations against his regime unacceptable acts of provocation and offers to begin a dialogue with protesters. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A masked Yemeni anti-government demonstrator seen during clashes with supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, not pictured, in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. Yemen's embattled leader rejects demands that he step down, calling demonstrations against his regime unacceptable acts of provocation and offers to begin a dialogue with protesters. Arabic reads on the mask, \" Leave\". (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protesters destroy a vehicle belonging to government supporters during a protest outside Sanaa University on February 22, 2011, as some 1,000 students spent a second night camped at a square, which they have dubbed Al-Hurriya (Liberty) Square, near the university demanding Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh's ouster. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Supporters of the Yemeni government seen through the smoke of a burning vehicle belonging to them destroyed and set on fire by anti-government demonstrators during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. Yemen's embattled leader rejects demands that he step down, calling demonstrations against his regime unacceptable acts of provocation and offers to begin a dialogue with protesters. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Anti-government protesters attend a rally organised by the Shi'ite rebel al-Houthi group in the north-western Yemeni province of Saada February 21, 2011. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said protesters demanding an end to his 32-year rule could not achieve their goal through \"anarchy and killing\", after nationwide unrest which has killed 12 people since Thursday. REUTERS/al-Houthi rebel group/Handout (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) NO SALES. NO ARCHIVES. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. NO COMMERCIAL USE

An elderly Yemeni anti-government demonstrator reacts during a demonstration demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Yemen's president rejected demands that he step down and said Monday that the widespread demonstrations against his regime were unacceptable acts of provocation, though he renewed calls for talks with the protesters. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Women supporters of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh hold his posters during a gathering in Sanaa February 20, 2011. Supporters of Saleh tried to break up a demonstration by opponents of the government on Sunday and shots were fired as unrest in the country entered its ninth straight day. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

A supporter of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh reacts during a meeting with President Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. Some 3,000 students protesting at Sanaa University in the Yemeni capital seek to oust longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaida, and have been inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Supporters of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh attend a gathering addressed by Saleh in Sanaa February 20, 2011. Supporters of Saleh tried to break up a demonstration by opponents of the government on Sunday and shots were fired as unrest in the country entered its ninth straight day. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

An anti-government protester hugs a policeman during clashes with government backers in Sanaa February 18, 2011. Crowds of rival demonstrators thronged the Yemeni capital and two other cities on Friday in a show of strength between President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and those demanding an end to his 32 years in power. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Anti-government protesters attend Friday prayers in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz February 18, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

A government backer hurls a rock during clashes with anti-government protesters in Sanaa February 18, 2011. Crowds of rival demonstrators thronged the Yemeni capital and two other cities on Friday in a show of strength between President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and those demanding an end to his 32 years in power. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

A government backer hurls rocks at anti-government protesters during clashes in Sanaa February 17, 2011. Hundreds of Yemen government loyalists wielding batons and daggers chased off a small group of protesters trying to kick off a seventh day of rallies on Thursday to demand their president end his 32-year rule. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A Yemeni anti-government protester jumps to throw stones towards a police station during clashes with regime loyalists in central Sanaa on February 17, 2011. At least 12 people were injured and police fired warning shots during the fierce clashes, an AFP reporter said. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

An opposition supporter with pieces of bread taped onto his head shouts slogans during an anti-government protest in Sanaa February 3, 2011. 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. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY)

A supporter of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh peers from behind a tree raising his portrait during a rally in support of Saleh and his government in Sanaa,Yemen, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011.Thousands of opponents of Yemen's government and its supporters are demonstrating in the capital and other cities a day after the president pledged not to seek another term in office. Banner reads in Arabic, \" Together in support of the democratic system\". (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Protesters march during an anti-government demonstration in Radfan, a district in the southern Yemeni province of Lahej January 27, 2011. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa on Thursday to demand a change of government, inspired by the unrest that has ousted Tunisia's leader and spread to Egypt this week. REUTERS/Stringer (YEMEN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)