Yemen's Saleh orders protection for protesters

President seeks to avoid clashes between his supporters, opponents

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered his security forces to protect demonstrators trying to end his 32-year rule, a statement said.

The statement, relayed by the Yemeni press attache in Washington on Thursday, said Saleh had "demanded security services to offer full protection for the demonstrators".