Yemen president 'should leave country'

One of Yemen's most influential political figures, Hamid al-Ahmar, has told the BBC, that the country's president Ali Abdullah Saleh must not only stand down, but leave the country as well.

His comments come as anti-government demonstrations calling for the president's resignation have been taking place in several major cities.

Hamid al-Ahmar was speaking to our correspondent in Sana'a, who cannot be named for her own safety.