21 protestors killed in Yemen violence

Police and armed men in civilian clothes opened fire on anti-government demonstrators in the Yemeni cities of Taiz and Hudaida as a drive to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh gathered pace.

The attempt to suppress mounting protests inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia came amid signs that the US is seeking an end to Saleh's 32-year rule, long seen as a rampart against Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

In Taiz, south of the capital Sanaa, police shot at protesters trying to storm the provincial government building, killing at least 15 and wounding 30, hospital doctors said.

The television showed a row of men, apparent tear gas victims, lying motionless and being tended by medics on the carpeted floor of a makeshift hospital in Taiz.

In the Red Sea port of Hudaida, police and armed men in civilian clothes attacked a march towards a presidential palace.

Three people were hit by bullets, around 30 were stabbed with knifes, and 270 were hurt from inhaling tear gas, doctors said.

Local doctors have said at least six demonstrators were shot dead and several wounded during evening rallies, and that the toll was likely to rise.

The President of Yemen expressed regret for the death of the protestors, meanwhile refuted the report that they were killed in the clashes with the police.