“The Government of the Republic of Yemen will continue to protect the rights of its citizens to assemble peacefully and their right to freedom of expression,” he said.

On Tuesday night, two anti-government protesters were shot dead by government supporters during a sit-in in front of Sana University. At least 10 others were injured by gunfire.

According to witnesses, security forces, who had been standing in between the two sides at the sit-in throughout the day, fled once the pro-government supporters began firing with automatic weapons and pistols on the student protesters who have been staging a sit-in since last Sunday calling for Mr. Saleh to step down.