Anti-government rallies in Yemen stay calm

[Lars77]

Source: Washington Post

SANAA, YEMEN - Tens of thousands of pro- and anti-government protesters took to the streets of this capital Thursday in a peaceful but vocal tussle to shape the direction of their impoverished nation in the wake of the upheavals gripping the Arab world.

While many angrily demanded the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for 32 years, others supported his staying in power, saying they viewed him as a leader who could keep the nation stable.

"We need freedom. Get out, Ali Abdullah Saleh, get out!" the crowd in one part of the capital chanted, waving banners that called for the end of corruption.

"No to chaos and destruction," the crowd in another part of the capital shouted, clutching large portraits of Saleh.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/03/AR2011020301991.html