MANAMA, Bahrain — Thousands of antigovernment protesters marched to Manama’s Pearl Square yesterday after Bahrain’s king released at least 100 political prisoners, an acknowledgment by the Sunni ruler of the mounting pressure being placed on him by the Shi’ite opposition.
The inmates included 25 Shi’ite activists on trial since last year for plotting against the state. The release underlined how much the absolute rulers of the Gulf kingdom, a close ally of Washington, want to begin reform talks with protest leaders. Their release was one of the major demands of the emboldened political movement seeking constitutional reform....
Also see: Blood Runs in Bahrain Streets
The president of Yemen said he had ordered his security services to protect protesters, stop all clashes, and prevent direct confrontation between government supporters and opponents.
The directive came at the end of the day when security forces in the southern port of Aden used tear gas and fired bullets in the air to disperse hundreds of protesters.
In the capital, Sana, government supporters wielding clubs attacked demonstrators.
Amnesty International said two people were killed in Sana, the first fatalities there since unrest began about two weeks ago.
Yemen, an impoverished country with a weak central government and an active branch of Al Qaeda, has been swept up in the protests inspired by successful uprising in Egypt and Tunisia.
The demonstrators are demanding that US-backed President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power for 32 years, step down.
Saleh has said he will step down, but...
But nothing!
--more--"
Also see: No Need For Yakking in Yemen
