The pro-democracy protesters were sitting in a garden at the heart of the western port city of Hudaida, calling for Saleh's ouster when the pro-regime loyalists, who were carrying batons, rocks and knives, began to attack them randomly.
Police used tear gas and live bullets to end the scuffle. The protesters reacted by throwing stones at the attackers. Dozens of protesters suffered from breathing difficulty as a result of inhaling gases. The other protesters were injured and taken to local hospitals. The attack occurred following a counter protest organized by supporters of the ruling General People's Congress.
Official media accused opposition members of attacking pro-government protesters in the same place. Thousands of the regime supporters organized Wednesday a massive rally in support of Saleh' latest initiative.
Meanwhile, Yemen suggested delaying the upcoming ministerial conference of the Friends of Yemen group which is to be held in Riyadh, Saba News Agency reported.
Yemen Foreign Minister Dr. Abdu Baker Al-Qirbi met Wednesday with ambassadors of the EU, the US, Russia, China and the UNDP representative in Sanaa.
