Yemenis hold anti-US protests

Yemeni anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in the southern city of Taizz, July 19, 2011.
Yemeni anti-government protesters have staged fresh demonstrations against what they call the US and Saudi Arabia's domination over the country.

The angry demonstrators tore pictures of US President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Tuesday.

The protesters accuse Washington and Riyadh of making efforts to save the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Meanwhile, opposition groups in the capital Sana'a announced on Tuesday that they would unite all forces seeking to oust Saleh.

The main opposition coalition in Yemen, the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), said it would set up a “National Council for the Forces of the Revolution” to lead efforts to depose Saleh.

JMP made the decision just days after youth groups and activists set up their own 17-member “transitional council” with the same objective.

In a separate development on Monday, some 100 Yemeni journalists gathered outside the residence of Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi, who is the acting head of state in Saleh's absence, to protest against harassment and censorship by authorities.

Saleh and five other high ranking Yemeni officials flew to Saudi Arabia for alleged medical treatment following a rocket attack on the Yemeni presidential palace on June 3.

Saleh has invited the opposition parties into negotiations, saying dialogue is needed to resolve Yemen's problems. However, anti-government protesters have rejected his offer.

“I again invite all the political forces to return to reason and respond favorably to the call to dialogue from Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi to end the crisis,” Saleh wrote in an editorial published in a pro-government newspaper on Monday, a day after the anniversary of his accession to power in 1978.

The opposition in Yemen has demanded dissolution of the parliament and the country's consultative council and formation of a committee to draw up a new constitution and set dates for holding a constitutional referendum as well as elections.

Hundreds of protesters have been killed and many more injured since Yemen's popular uprising began in late January as a result of the brutal crackdown on the anti-government demonstrations by military forces and bands of thugs loyal to Saleh.

HSN/PKH/AKM  Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:31PM GMT http://presstv.com/detail/189853.html