Yemenis the latest to demand regime change in wake of Tunisia coup

Tens of thousands of Yemenis demanded the president step down in nationwide protests yesterday, taking inspiration from the revolt in Tunisia and vowing to continue until their US-backed government falls.

Yemen is the latest Arab state to be hit by mass anti-government protests, joining Tunisia and Egypt in calls for reform. The demonstrations pose a new threat to the stability of Yemen, the Arab world's most impoverished nation, which has become a haven for al-Qaeda militants.

"No delays, no delays, the time for departure has come!" shouted protesters, calling for the ousting of president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled for nearly 32 years. Mr Saleh's government is riddled with corruption, has little control outside the capital, and its main source of income - oil - could run out in a decade.

The protesters were led by opposition members and youth activists in four parts of the capital, Sana'a. In the southern provinces of Dali and Shabwa, riot police used batons to disperse people, while thousands took to the streets in al-Hudaydah province, an al-Qaeda stronghold along the Red Sea coast.

In the port city of Aden, a 28-year-old man, Fouad Sabri, set himself on fire. He was in critical in hospital last night. A few hundred pro-government supporters held a counter-protest in Sana'a. But more anti-regime protests are expected today.