Mideast turmoil

Thousands protest for reform

Associated Press

CAIRO

Security forces opened fire to disperse crowds in Libya and Yemen as tens of thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets Friday across the Middle East, hoping to oust longtime leaders as in Tunisia and Egypt, or simply to bring about more political reforms.

The biggest demonstrations were in Yemen, where tens of thousands of people rallied in several cities — including the capital of Sanaa — calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a key U.S. ally in the campaign against al-Qaida. He has promised to step down after national elections in 2013, an offer rejected by the opposition.

At least four people were killed and seven wounded when Yemeni soldiers armed with heavy machine guns shot at protesters throwing rocks at their army post in the northern town of Harf Sofyan. A witness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal, said the soldiers apparently believed the protesters were trying to attack the post.

For the first time in Yemen, the protesters included hundreds of women, filling a square and nearby streets. The main speaker during prayers at Sanaa University, Yahia Hussein al-Deilami, told the gathering that “deposing a tyrant is a religious duty.”

In Libya’s capital of Tripoli, more than 1,500 protesters marched from a mosque after noon prayers in the eastern district of Tajoura, chanting for the end of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime and waving the red, black and green flag of the monarchy that predated his rule. Pro-Gadhafi forces quickly moved in, firing volleys of tear gas and — when the marchers continued — live ammunition, witnesses said.

In Bahrain, thousands of protesters chanting slogans against the Sunni dynasty streamed toward state TV headquarters after sectarian clashes between Sunnis and the majority Shiites who led the demonstration in the strategic Gulf nation. Some women carried roses and placed them on the wall outside the TV compound.

In Jordan’s capital of Amman, political opponents amplified their calls for the new prime minister to resign and demanded to be brought into a unity government to usher in swift reforms to open up the kingdom’s politics.