Yemeni activists and medics said Monday that at least 22 women were hurt during a previous day's demonstrations after government loyalists threw rocks and other objects at them.

The women had gathered in the southern city of Taiz to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and to celebrate last week's awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Yemeni opposition activist Tawakkul Karman.

Karman became the first Arab woman to receive the honor for helping to lead a struggle for women's rights and peace in Yemen. She called the prize a victory in her country's months-long uprising against Mr. Saleh, who has been in power for 33 years.

The Yemeni president said Saturday he is ready to give up power “in the coming days,” but Mr. Saleh has repeatedly refused to sign a Gulf Cooperation Council deal for him to hand power to a deputy.

Late Sunday and into Monday, witnesses say Yemeni government troops and anti-government tribesmen fought each other in and around Taiz.