Rival demonstrations held in Yemen

Tens of thousands of Yemenis have converged in the capital for rival demonstrations, with some demanding the president’s removal and others showing their support.

Police and army units were deployed in Sanaa to prevent clashes between the two sides.

More than 120 people have been killed since Yemen’s protests calling for the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh began on February 11, inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council has invited Saleh and the opposition to a mediation session in Saudi Arabia, but Saleh’s government described the proposal as unconstitutional.