9 March 2011 - 20:30

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced plans to hold referendum on drawing up a new constitution, amid the ongoing anti-government uprising in the country.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Killing of protesters has hardened the opposition resolve to continue their anti-government rallies till the fall of Saleh, who has ruled the country for more than 32 years.

Yemen, a neighbor of oil giant Saudi Arabia and the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula, has seen a wave of protests since Feb 16 inspired by the revolution in Tunisia and Egypt.

Almost 30 people have been killed in the uprising and analysts have said the situation could degenerate rapidly.

So far, President Saleh has rejected popular calls to step down.

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