Thousands rally against Yemeni government

TENS of thousands of people called for the Yemeni president’s ousting in protests across the country yesterday.

The demonstrations, led by opposition members and youth activists, are a significant expansion of the unrest sparked by the Tunisian uprising, which also inspired Egypt’s largest protests in years. They pose a new threat to the stability of the Arab world’s most impoverished nation, which has become the focus of increased concern about a resurgent al-Qaida branch, a northern rebellion and a secessionist movement in the south.

The largest demonstrations took place in the capital Sanaa, where crowds in four parts of the city shut down streets and chanted slogans calling for an end to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled for nearly 32 years.