27 Apr 2011

Protesters fired on in Yemen

7:15 am on 27 April 2011

Security forces in the Yemeni city of Taiz have opened fire to disperse thousands of protesters who had gathered to demand that President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down immediately.

Heavy gunfire and tear-gas have been reported. At least 50 people were wounded and two have reportedly been killed.

Protests were also reported in the capital, Sanaa, the south-eastern town of Mukalla and in the Red Sea city of al-Hudaida.

Mr Saleh last week agreed to transfer power soon. But the BBC reports many opponents do not trust him to keep his promise to resign.

The ruling General People's Congress party agreed on Saturday to a plan proposed by the Gulf Co-operation Council under which the president would hand over power to his deputy within 30 days of a deal being signed, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

Under the proposal, established opposition parties would first join Mr Saleh in a unity government.

The BBC reports the president would then submit his resignation, but to a parliament dominated by his own party.

More than 130 people have been killed since anti-government unrest began in January.