Pro-, anti-gov't clashes in Yemen injure 5

SANAA, Yemen, March 4 (UPI) -- Clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters Friday in al-Baeda, Yemen, injured at least five people, including a child, local officials said.

The fighting broke out when pro-government protesters attacked a rally of anti-government protesters who have been demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled the country since 1978, The Yemen Post reported. Witnesses told the Post batons, knives and guns were used in the fighting.

Saleh Friday rejected calls for him to transfer power before the end of this year. He agreed, however, to a proposal by religious leaders to alter the nation's electoral, political and judicial systems, the Post reported.

The newspaper said millions of people prayed and demonstrated in cities throughout Yemen Friday, with 2.5 million praying in the square of change at Sanaa University and the square of freedom in Taiz.

Crowds estimated in the hundreds of thousands amassed in other cities, the Post said.

Saleh has said he will not run again for president and will not promote his son, Ahmed, to replace him when his term expires in 2013.