More protests are planned in Yemen for Friday, after the opposition refused reforms proposed by the President. The upcoming demonstrations will take place in the capital, Sanaa, and the rally is being dubbed ‘Friday of Departure’.

It seems the opposition are not impressed with President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s offer to stand down after a presidential election at the end of the year – they want his departure to come more swiftly.

The tide further turned against the President after 52 demonstrators were shot last Friday. The most high-profile defection has been General Ali Mohsen, commander of the military in the north-west of the country.