(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Yemen's defense ministry announced on Friday that President Saleh made the decision following a meeting with the country's higher National Defense Council.
The announcement came shortly after pro-regime loyalists and security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital, killing at least 40 people.
Hundreds of protesters were also injured in the clashes. According to medical sources, most of the injuries were to the head, neck and chest.
Witnesses say vigilantes also opened fire on demonstrators from nearby houses.
Protesters are calling for an end to President Saleh's three-decade rule.
Following the violence, opposition groups said that there is no possibility of reaching an agreement with the government and urged Saleh to leave.
"There is no longer any possibility of mutual understanding with this regime and he has no choice but to surrender authority to the people," Yassin Noman, rotating president of Yemen's umbrella opposition group.
Similar anti-Saleh rallies are also being held in other Yemeni cities, including the southern port city of Aden and Hodeida in the west.
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