Talks ongoing between Yemen, U.N.

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SANA'A, Yemen, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Western security forces have secured the Yemeni capital during negotiations about the direction of the nation's provisional government, officials said.

Some 250 U.S. Marines, along with counter-terrorism units, British ground forces and French warplanes have essentially locked down Sana'a during talks between Yemeni officials and representatives of the U.N. Security Council, angering some locals, the Yemen Post said Sunday.

Protests have sprung up over the Parliament's decision to offer legal immunity to deposed dictator Ali Absullah Saleh. Citizens took to the streets carrying banners meant to influence the foreign delegation to press for a reversal of the immunity decision and force Saleh to stand trial.

Others were angered by the foreign military presence, saying it was an insult to Yemen's military.

"Our armed forces are perfectly capable and well-trained," retired Gen. Ali Mohsen Khawlani said. "What kind of message does it send to see foreign troops invade our capital? Are we moving toward a military occupation?"