Tens Of Thousands Of Antigovernment Protesters Rally In Yemen

Yemeni antigovernment protesters shout slogans during a "day of rage" protest in Sanaa.

Tens of thousands of opponents and supporters of Yemen's president held competing demonstrations today in the country's capital, Sanaa.

Clashes reportedly occurred between opposing sides, but there were no reports of serious casualties.

Thousands of people also demonstrated in other towns.

Yemen has recently seen days of antigovernment protests similar to the protests in Tunisia and Egypt.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the country for three decades, says he will leave office when his term expires in 2013. He has also said he will not hand over power to his son.

Yemen faces a separatist movement in the south, a Shi'ite rebellion in the north, and a growing presence of Al-Qaeda militants.

compiled from agency reports