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Yemen

Yemen declares state of emergency as more than 40 die in protests

Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared a nationwide state of emergency on Friday after at least 46 people were killed in a crackdown on protesters in the capital Sanaa. The European Union, France and the US have condemned the attacks on demonstrators and called for an immediate halt to the violence.

Reuters/Khaled Abdullah
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Witnesses said pro-government forces opened fire on protesters from rooftops near the square at Sanaa University. Police were also seen firing on the crowd, according to a reporter for AFP news agency.

Medics said at least 46 people were killed and more than 200 wounded. More than 70 people have now died since protests broke out at the end of January.

Saleh expressed his regret for the deaths, describing the victims as “martyrs of democracy”.

He denied that police had fired on protesters, while Interior Minister Mutahar al-Masri said they only intervened when demonstrators tried to break into nearby houses.

Parliamentary opposition spokesman Mohammed al-Sabri accused the government of a “massacre”.

France condemned what the foreign ministry described as “murderous attacks” on protesters and said it was “imperative” that Yemeni authorities protect civilians.

Meanwhile US President Barack Obama said those responsible for Friday’s violence “must be held accountable”, while the EU’s head of foreign policy Catherine Ashton called on Saleh to uphold his pledge to allow peaceful demonstrations.

On 10 March, Saleh promised to protect protesters and offered to devolve power to parliament under a new constitution. But his opponents say the offer comes too late.

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