Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters held a huge celebration in central Sana'a on Sunday to mark the 21st anniversary of Yemen's unification, DPA reported.
Delegations from different provinces headed to the capital's Siteen street, where they celebrated, carrying flags and playing music, along with members of the army defectors.
"In all languages, we tell you, we are the people of Yemen, and we went out demanding freedom," one protester told the crowd.
Sarah, a 23-year-old activist in Sana'a, said it was the first time she was participating in the country's Unity Day celebrations."
"It is the first time I feel I'm Yemeni here in my country," she said.
Supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, however, blocked roads leading to the Siteen street to prevent more people from joining protesters in their celebrations.
Saleh, who has been ruling the country for 32 years, was later Sunday expected to sign a Gulf-brokered power-transfer deal after it was signed by rebels on Saturday night.
The president has refused to sign the deal on two previous occasions, despite intensive diplomatic efforts to end more than three months of political stalemate in Yemen.
At least 140 people have been killed and thousands injured since the uprising in Yemen started earlier this year.
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