Yemen police arrests four anti-gov't protesters amid spreading protests

Yemen police arrests four anti-gov't protesters amid spreading protests

SANAA, Feb. 21, 2011 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni security forces arrested four anti-government protesters and prevented others from staging a peaceful rally in Yemen's southeast province of Shabwa on Monday, a local official told Xinhua.

Saleh al-Kudaim, Ahmed Faraj, Mahdi Salmain and Abdullah al- Abdain were arrested, who along with other hundreds of anti- government protesters, staged protest march towards downtown Ataq, the provincial capital city of Shabwa," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"Heavy police forces were deployed to the scene and dispersed the protesters who shouted slogans demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh," he added.

Saleh, who has been in power for more than 30 years, promised earlier this month he would not seek re-election or pass power to his son after his presidential term expires in 2013, vowing to achieve more political and economic reforms.