President of Yemen rejects calls to quit

YEMEN'S embattled leader yesterday again rejected demands that he step down, saying that widespread demonstrations against his regime are unacceptable acts of provocation.

However, President Ali Abdullah Saleh - who has been in power for three decades - offered to begin a dialogue with the protesters.

But the proposal was rebuffed as insincere by an opposition spokesman, and an influential group of Muslim clerics called for the establishment of a national unity government until elections can be held.

In another attempt to defuse anger, Mr Saleh told a news conference that he has ordered troops not to fire at anti-government protesters, except in self-defence. At least 11 people have been killed since protests erupted earlier this month, including a youth shot dead yesterday, medical officials said.

The demonstrations in Yemen - the region's poorest nation - are part of the wave of unrest that have swept across the Arab world in recent weeks.

Mr Saleh's government was already weak before the protests, facing a southern separatist movement and disaffected tribesmen around the country. Mr Saleh is quietly co-operating with the US in efforts to battle an al-Qaeda off-shoot that has taken root in Yemen, but his government exercises limited control in the tribal areas beyond the capital.

Despite Mr Saleh's gestures, protesters are digging in. Several hundred camped overnight in a square in the capital, Sanaa, near the city's university. Many remained last night, saying they would stay until the regime falls.