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Protests in Yemen call for international action against bloodshed

Arab World Materials 10 April 2011 17:18 (UTC +04:00)

Tens of thousands of Yemeni protesters marched in the capital Sana'a on Sunday, calling for the international community to take action to stop the government's violent crackdowns against demonstrators in the country.

"President Ali Abdullah Saleh does not understand any language but that of blood," one protester who requested anonymity told the German Press Agency dpa.

"If the international community wants to stop this bloodshed, they must take action," he added.

The protest comes a day after hundreds of people were injured when police used live ammunition, tear gas, batons and water cannons to disperse an anti-government protest in Sana'a late Saturday night.

At least 400 people were reported to have been hospitalized after the events.

A similar crackdown was carried out against protesters in the northern port city of Aden. The number of injured there remains unknown.

In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) met to discuss ways to resolve the Yemeni crisis.

Saleh condemned the Gulf state of Qatar last week for its suggestion that the GCC proposal would call for Saleh's resignation and a transition of power.

Yemen's opposition groups insist they will not accept any proposal which does not call for Saleh's immediate removal from power.

The US, which has viewed Saleh as an ally in its war on terrorism in recent years, has repeatedly condemned the use of violence against anti-government protesters.

For two months, protesters throughout the country have demanded Saleh's resignation after more than 30 years in power.

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