Yemen joins Egypt, Tunisia as protests spread
The rising unrest in the Middle East spread to impoverished Yemen on Thursday as tens of thousands of protesters angry over unemployment and political oppression marched through the capital against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.Instability in Yemen is a major concern for Washington, which has been working with Saleh's government to defeat an entrenched al-Qaida network that claimed responsibility for last year's unsuccessful attempt to detonate bombs aboard planes in U.S. airspace. Officials fear anarchy in the country would give militants a strategic base in the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for 32 years, has been unable to stem unemployment and improve edu cation, health care and sanitation in the region's poorest nation.
Anger has been growing, especially among young activists and tribal leaders. He also faces a southern secessionist movement. The U.S. has expanded its intelligence and security roles in the country , and American military aid is expected to reach at least $250 million this year. But Washington has long been wary of Saleh, who runs a government based on patronage and has made deals with enemies, including Islamic militants.
"I saw many , many people today, in the thousands," said Ahmed Arman, a human-rights lawyer in the capital, Sanaa. "They're calling for ... a complete reform of the political system."
The demonstrations unfolded as the region brimmed with anger and frustration that have sparked protests against authoritarian rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.
Some Yemeni protesters joked that Saleh should "go the way" of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled Jan.
14 after weeks of uprising.
Yemen "allows people to express their views in accordance with the related laws," Interior Minister Mutaher al-Masri was quoted as saying by the country's SABA news agency. "We do not need chaos that harms public security and abuses democracy ."
The protests were on a day of rival rallies by opposition parties and government loyalists. Yemeni journalist Nasser Arrabyee said on his website: "No violence or riot cases were noticed, but security measures were exceptional in the city as anti-riot forces were deployed (near) the rallies."
Mohammed al-Basha, a spokesman for the Yemeni Embassy in Washington, said in a statement: "No major clashes or arrests occurred, and police presence was minimal."
Special correspondent Sandels reported from Beirut.
jfleishman@tribune.com
jfleishman@tribune.com
No comments:
Post a Comment