Tens of thousands of Yemenis are demonstrating in the capital, Sana'a, to demand that relatives of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh vacate key government posts and leave the country.

Protesters on Monday called for the removal of Mr. Saleh's family from security leadership roles. The protesters focused on the removal of the president's son, Ahmed Saleh, as commander of the elite Presidential Guard.

The Yemeni president remains in Saudi Arabia, where he is recuperating from injuries sustained in an attack on the presidential compound earlier this month.

Yemeni officials have said Mr. Saleh plans to return “in days.” But the French news agency quoted an unnamed Saudi official Friday as saying Mr. Saleh will not be going back to Yemen.

Yemenis took to the streets across the country Friday. Demonstrators renewed calls for President Saleh's removal from office and others voiced support for the embattled leader.

Thousands of anti-government protesters massed after midday Friday prayers. Some chanted and waved the Yemeni flag.

Yemen's state-run television said loyalists gathered in the capital, waving banners and chanting pro-government slogans.