This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-17108117

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh
(40 minutes later)
Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
At least six people have been killed in incidents at southern polling stations despite a large army presence, after separatists called for a voter boycott. At least eight soldiers have been killed at southern polling stations despite a large army presence, after separatists called for a voter boycott.
But voting in the capital Sanaa was peaceful as people formed orderly queues from the early morning. Half of Aden's polling stations have now closed, but the capital, Sanaa, was calm as people formed orderly queues.
Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.
Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province.Officials told BBC Arabic that gunmen killed four soldiers in an attack on a polling station in Hadramawt province.
Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district, and there was violence reported in Aden, the main city in the south. Two soldiers were killed and a number of people injured in Aden, the main city in the south. Half the polling stations there have now been closed.
Two soldiers were also killed in an attack in the al-Hawta district.
The separatist Southern Movement has called for a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote.The separatist Southern Movement has called for a day of "civil disobedience" to mark the vote.
The poll comes after a year of violent anti-government protests in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country. The poll comes after a year violent anti-government protests erupted in the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country.
'End of Saleh era''End of Saleh era'
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president. At a huge rally inside the Sanaa football stadium, I saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters chanting the name of Yemen's Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
The main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa.
He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the separatists.
At a huge rally inside the Sanaa football stadium, I saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters chanting the name of Yemen's vice-President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election.For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election.
The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good.The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good.
Even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military.Even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military.
Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts. Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts. And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition.
And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition.
It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president.It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president.
Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, said as she voted that the election marked the end of President Saleh's 33-year long reign. The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president.
The main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa.
He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the separatists.
Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, joint winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, said as she voted that the election marked the end of Mr Saleh's 33-year long reign.
"Today we are building the new Yemen, we are building the democratic and happy Yemen that all of the youth and women have dreamed about," she said."Today we are building the new Yemen, we are building the democratic and happy Yemen that all of the youth and women have dreamed about," she said.
But the country still faces multiple challenges - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants, widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought.But the country still faces multiple challenges - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants, widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought.
Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, acknowledged in a BBC interview that al-Qaeda posed a real threat.Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, acknowledged in a BBC interview that al-Qaeda posed a real threat.
"It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously," he said."It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously," he said.
"We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised.""We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised."
The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours.The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours.
Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected. Mr Saleh signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president has been elected.
On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power".On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power".
According to the election rules, there is no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid. More than 12 million people are eligible to vote, including 2.2 million newly registered voters.
If only one person turns out to vote for him, Mr Hadi will still win.
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote. Ten million registered for the last vote in 2006 in addition to 2.2 million new voters.
The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled.The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled.
Are you in Yemen? What is your reaction to the election? Do you intend to vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Yemen? What is your reaction to the election? Do you intend to vote? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.