Yemen in revolt, violent clashes reported

Clashes between police and protesters also erupted in the city of Taez, south of Sanaa, where thousands of people joined demonstrations against Saleh.

In Sanaa, around 3,000 protesters marched from Sanaa University towards Al-Tahrir square in the city centre demanding that Saleh -- in power for 32 years -- step down, an AFP reporter said.

Streets echoed to chants of "After Mubarak, Ali," referring to the ouster of Egypt's Hosni Mubarak who quit after 18 days of protests by hundreds of thousands of Egyptians centred on Cairo's main square, also named Tahrir.

There were shouts of "No corruption after today" as some demonstrators brandished banners reading: "The people want to oust the regime" -- slogans used by protesters in Egypt.

As the protesters approached the square, baton-wielding riot police moved in and clashes broke out, witnesses said.

Despite razor wire erected by security forces around the square, Saleh supporters who have been camped at the square for days to thwart anti-regime demonstrations waded in to the demonstrators with batons, witnesses said.

The protesters responded by hurling stones at them, and witnesses said some demonstrators were slightly injured.