US Urges Yemen to Probe Violence

WASHINGTON- Mar 10, 2011- The United States on Wednesday urged the Yemeni authorities to probe and hold to account those who appeared to have used excessive force during anti-government protests.

At least two people were killed Wednesday in a fresh round of deadly clashes across Yemen, where anti-regime protests have been raging since late January, medical and official sources said.

"We urge the government of Yemen to investigate and hold accountable those who appear to have utilized excessive force," Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, told reporters.

He said the security forces in the capital Sana'a have "made efforts to improve security" by preventing clashes between the demonstrators and by screening demonstrators for weapons.

"But they need to do more to prevent these kinds of incidents in the future," Toner added.

"We remain deeply concerned about ongoing violence in Yemen and we continue to call on security forces and demonstrators alike to exercise restraint and to refrain from violence," he said.

Source: (AFP)