Thousands of protesters have rallied in towns across Yemen, calling for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Pro-government demonstrators also rallied, carrying pictures of Mr. Saleh and urging him to stay in office.

The rival protests took place Friday in cities that include the capital, Sana'a, the southern city of Taiz, and smaller towns.

State-run news reports say government loyalists converged outside of a mosque in the capital after Friday prayers.

Mr. Saleh is in Saudi Arabia, where his is recovering from wounds he suffered in a June attack on his presidential compound. Last week, he vowed to return to Yemen “soon.”