2 killed as Saleh troops fire at anti-regime protesters

Yemeni troops loyal to embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh opened fire on Tuesday at thousands of protesters calling for his ouster, killing two and wounding at least 40 people, a medical official said.

Yemeni troops loyal to embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh opened fire on Tuesday at thousands of protesters calling for his ouster, killing two and wounding at least 40 people, a medical official said.

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The demonstration was taking place since early morning hours in Sanaa. The protesters marched through the streets surrounding Change Square, the intersection where the uprising against Saleh started in February. "The people want to prosecute the butcher," the protesters chanted, demanding a trial for Saleh. Some also held posters saying that after the death of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi, it was time for Saleh to "listen to your people."

Saleh's forces then exchanged gunfire with troops from renegade army units lead by Maj Gen Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who defected to the opposition early on in the uprising and whose forces now escort and protect the protesters.

Mohammed al-Qubati, who runs a field hospital at the protesters' camp site, said two protesters were killed and at least 40 were wounded by Saleh's forces.