Yemen protests: President says he will ‘sacrifice his blood’
As more protests take place in Yemen its President says he will “sacrifice his blood” for the country. Channel 4 News has been told the Government is paying people to protest on its behalf.
Tens of thousands of protesters, both for and against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, have taken to the streets of Yemen’s capital.
Rallies attracted large numbers in Sanaa even before midday prayers, a time which has been a critical period for drawing crowds in protest movements that have swept across the region.
“Out traitor, the Yemeni people are in revolt. We, the army and the police are united under oppression,” anti-Saleh protesters shouted outside Sanaa University, where tens of thousands had gathered.
But tensions were high as equally large crowds came out in a show of support for Saleh in Sabyeen Square, about 2.5 miles away.
Anti-Saleh protesters have named the day a “Friday of enough,” while loyalists branded it a “Friday of brotherhood.”
Ali Abdullah Saleh said he would sacrifice everything for his country, suggesting he has no plans to step down yet.
“I swear to you that I will sacrifice my blood and soul and everything precious for the sake of this great people,” he told supporters who shouted “the people want Ali Abdullah Saleh” in response.
Senior opposition sources say they have documents proving people protesting in favour of the Government are being given financial support. Hakim Almasmari, Yemen Post
Hakim Almasmari is editor of the Yemen Post in Sanaa. He told Channel 4 News the pro-Government demonstrations would buy the President more time:”No one expected him to gather so many protesters.”
“Every time doors are closed he comes out with more protests to buy more time in power.”
He continued: “Senior opposition sources say they have documents proving people protesting in favour of the Government are being given financial support.
“It’s claimed they receive 250 US dollars per person.”
Deadly demonstrations
Protesters have been taking to the streets of Yemen since February demanding the immediate resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Saleh has said he will not seek re-election but campaigners want him out of office now.
Thousands of Yemenis gathered on Thursday to commemorate the dozens of people killed during weeks of protest.
Eighty two people have died so far including 52 who were shot by snipers on 18 March.
The weeks of protests in Sanaa and elsewhere have brought Saleh’s 32-year-old rule to the verge of collapse but the United States and Saudi Arabia are worried over who might succeed their ally.
Read more: Arab revolt and the Middle East uprisings
Deteriorating security
The Foreign Office has told Britons to leave Yemen immediately after what it described as a rapid deterioration in security and likely protests on Friday which might result in violent clashes.
It urged Britons to leave while commercial airlines were still flying.
It is highly unlikely that the British Government will be able to evacuate British nationals or provide consular assistance in the event of a further breakdown of law and order. Foreign and Commonwealth Office
“Given the situation on the ground, it is highly unlikely that the British Government will be able to evacuate British nationals or provide consular assistance in the event of a further breakdown of law and order and increased violent civil disorder,” it said in a statement.
Britain has advised against all travel to the country since March 4, and on March 12 urged Britons to leave immediately.
It called on all parties in Yemen to exercise the “utmost restraint” and take all steps necessary to “defuse tension on the ground” and to make urgent progress in implementing political and economic reform.
“The Government of Yemen must take urgent action to build trust with the opposition and with the protesters: without this trust, no agreement can be reached,” the statement said. “The Yemeni people want to see their legitimate demands acknowledged and met and the UK fully supports them in this aspiration.”
A timeline of key events in Yemen in 2011
February 3 - A day of anti-government protests brings more than 20,000 people onto the streets in Sanaa.
March 18 - Snipers kill 52 protesters among crowds that flocked to a sit-in at Sanaa University after Friday prayers. The killings prompt Saleh to declare a state of emergency.
March 20 - Saleh fires his government.
March 21 - Senior army commanders say they have switched support to pro-democracy activists, including Saleh ally General Ali Mohsen, commander of the northwest military zone.
March 23 - Saleh offers to step down by the end of 2011. He also proposes to hold a referendum on a new constitution, then a parliamentary election and presidential vote.
March 29 - Saleh holds talks with Mohammed al-Yadoumi, head of the Islamist Islah party, once a partner in his government.
March 31 - Thousands of Yemenis commemorate around 82 people who have been killed in the protests demanding Saleh resign.