Yemen Rallies Grow; Saleh Rejects Transition Plan

President Ali Abdullah Saleh has rejected a plan where he would step down at the end of the year.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has rejected an opposition plan for him to transfer power by the end of 2011, as protests against his rule continued.

Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for 32 years, is sticking to an earlier offer to step down when his term ends in 2013.

A huge anti-Saleh demonstration took place in the center of the capital, Sanaa, where protests reportedly stretched back for more than 2 kilometers in the streets around Sanaa University.

Earlier in the day, Shi'ite rebels accused the Yemeni army of firing rockets on a protest in Harf Sufyan in the north, where thousands had gathered. Two people were killed and 13 injured.

Reuters