Millions of Yemeni anti-government protesters took to the streets in several provinces Friday to support the recent formation of the opposition National Council, which aims to create a unified front for the anti-regime popular uprising, dpa reported.
The 143-member National Council, composed of a wide spectrum of anti-regime groups, was declared late Wednesday and aims to take over transitional power and increase the pressure on President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.
Protesters in Sana'a praised the National Council as a success for the opposition and chanted slogans scorning the son of president Saleh who commands the Republican Guards that has been at the forefront of crushing the revolution since last February.
The protesters called on the international community to welcome and cooperate with the national council.
Yemen's Deputy Minister of Information Abdu al-Janadi accused the opposition in a press conference Thursday of "exploiting and hijacking the youth uprising."
The first official meeting of the newly formed national council is expected to take place Saturday.