Yemen & Libya Update

In Yemen four people killed while seven others were injured as soldiers opened fire at anti-government protesters on Friday. Yemen has been rocked by weeks of daily anti-government protests, inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, and tens of thousands turned out in cities across the country calling for the ouster of Saleh, a key US ally in the campaign against the al-Qaida terror network. He has promised to step down after national elections in 2013, an offer rejected by protesters. According to witnesses, shootings in the town of Harf Sofyan occurred as soldiers tried to disperse thousands who took to the main street for Friday prayers. Soldiers in an army post opened fire with heavy machine guns, believing the protesters were trying to attack the post, according to the witnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal. Protesters threw rocks at the troops and called for Saleh to step down, shouting: "Leave! Leave!" In the capital of Sanaa, tens of thousands assembled near Sanaa University to urge Saleh s ouster. Security forces watched the gathering closely, but it was not violent.  At least four people were killed on Friday during heavy clashes between loyalists of Libyan ruler Moamer Gaddafi and eastern rebels near an oil compound at Raslanuf. In the morning, security forces set up checkpoints in parts of the capital, searching cars and questioning drivers to find anyone who might be planning to join the protests. Internet services, which have been spotty throughout Libya s upheaval, appeared to be halted completely in Tripoli on Friday. Some 1,200 protesters marched out of the Murad Agha mosque in Tripoli s Tajoura district after Asar prayers. They chanted slogans "the people want to bring the regime down". Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters demanding the ouster of Gaddafi in Tripoli s eastern Tajoura neighbourhood after Friday prayers. But forces loyal to Gaddafi have regained control of Zawiyah, near Tripoli, from rebel hands. Meanwhile, Interpol has issued a global alert against Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi and 15 others, including members of his family and close associates.