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Protests erupt in Yemen to demand ouster of president

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Around 15,000 protesters took to streets in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Thursday, calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Protesters are seen on the streets of Sanaa, capital of Yemen, Jan. 27, 2011. Around 15,000 protesters took to streets in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Thursday, calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. [Yin Ke/Xinhua]

"People want to change the regime, want the president to leave, " protesters uproared with pink belts wrapped around their heads, which symbolized freedom, waving pink flags together in the largest public rallies organized by the opposition parties in four areas in the capital.

The protesters are mainly university students, opposition party members and supporters, as well as some workers and the unemployed, mostly of whom complained about unemployment and poverty.

"We are sending our message today to the president and his government that we demand improving living conditions, combating corruption as well as political reform. We want better future for our children," a protester from the opposition Islamist Islah party told Xinhua.

"As a student in the university, I joined the protest today to call for the change, because the rich people here are becoming richer while the poor become poorer," another protester said.

Security sources in the Interior Ministry told Xinhua that the number of protesters in the four areas was more than 15,000.

At the same day, Yemeni Interior Minister Mutaher Rashad al-Masri on Thursday called on demonstrators to keep away from friction with security forces and to obey the laws.

"We do not need chaos and we will not allow something to happen as it harms the citizens and offends against the democracy," official Saba news agency quoted the minister as saying.

Abdul Rahman Bafadhl, the head of the parliamentary bloc of the opposition Islamic Islah part told Xinhua that there were many factors that could push hungry and discontent people into streets.

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