SANAA - Yemenis flooded the streets ofSanaa and Taiz on Friday in rival demonstrations for and against
President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who gave a guarded welcome to aGulf Arab plan for a three-month transition of power.He told supporters in Sanaa any arrangements had to be"within the framework of the Yemen constitution" -- languagewhich could mask objections to the plan -- and also vowed to"confront challenge with challenge", but without bloodshed.
Riot police fired in the air in the southern city of Taiz totry to keep vast, unruly crowds of pro and anti-Salehdemonstrators apart, witnesses said. Ambulance sirens could beheard, but there was no immediate word on casualties.