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Tens of thousands rallied in the southern city of Taiz, a hotbed of dissent.

It was the eighth straight day of protests in Yemen inspired by uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Demonstrators in the Arab world's poorest country are calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh - a key U.S. ally in fighting al-Qaida terrorists - who has ruled the country for 32 years.

Organizers using social media sites Facebook and Twitter in summoning people to the streets for the "Friday of Rage" following noon prayer, and tens of thousands responded in the major cities of Sanaa, Taiz and Aden.

After the service, the protesters marched toward the presidential palace, chanting anti-government slogans, and were met by riot police and hundreds of Saleh supporters, similar to confrontations earlier this week. The pro-and anti-government sides attacked each other with rocks, and the riot police began firing in the air and launching tear gas canisters.

Washington, had pledged not to seek re-election in 2013 and not to pass power to his son. The promise was seen as an attempt to defuse growing calls for his ouster.