Yemen President Saleh Remains Defiant as Protests Continue

Protests in Yemen continue to bring tens of thousands of people onto the streets of the capital Sana'a.              

Demonstrators appear in high spirits, clapping, dancing, and chanting to music.              

Some protesters are with their families, and this young baby has "leave" written on her face in Arabic.              

Demonstrators are demanding that Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down after 32 years in power.              

Saleh has given mixed signals on his readiness to leave, and on Wednesday said he would stand firm against "conspiracies and coups".              

Protesters are furious, and want him out immediately.    

[Unnamed Protestor]:          

"I came here as a protest against the president's speech yesterday. What legal constitution is Saleh talking about? Is he talking about thirty three years of hunger, misery, and ignorance? Every single day becomes worse for the Yemeni people."       

As negotiations drag on, the potential for escalating violence increases.              

Saleh has warned of chaos if he is forced out of office, suggesting there could be civil war and militants such as al-Qaeda would benefit.