Yemeni forces injure 18 protesters

At least 18 protesters have been reportedly injured in southern Yemen after security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrations.

The country’s Soheil television channel reported on Tuesday that 16 were wounded in Dhamar and two others in Aden.

According to the report, gunfire has been heard in the capital city of Sana’a as people continue their rallies, insisting on the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The cities of Taizz, Ibb and Bayda were also the scene of anti-regime protests on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Yemeni opposition leaders are expected to consider modifications to a deal proposed by the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC).

The opposition had rejected an earlier draft of the deal, which would see Saleh resign a month after signing in return for immunity.

Modifications proposed by the ruling party, passed on to the opposition by diplomats, would let the ruling party appoint a unity government for the transition period until elections are held.

Saleh has been in power since 1978, with several opposition members arguing that his long-promised reforms have not been materialized.