Yemenis Protest over Huge Hike in Fuel Prices
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Yemeni government on Wednesday increased fuel prices by nearly 100 percent in a move bidding to lift fuel subsidies to assist its budget deficit, officials said.
In several petrol stations of Sanaa, the sellers show up official document by the oil ministry, setting the new price of petrol to 200 Yemeni Riyals per litre and diesel to 195 Riyals. The previous official subsidized price for petrol was 125 Riyals and diesel was 100 Riyals.
The government resolution came as people enjoying holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the week long official holiday that came following the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
However, many people are gathering in large protest in the capital Sanaa, marching towards the headquarters of the government in downtown, Xinhua reported.
Also, many streets in Sanaa were cut by angry protesters with firing tires.
The government mobilized police in petrol stations and key streets in anticipation of riots.
The Arab country has suffered severe fuel shortages since May, in which fuel supplies were available only in few stations inside major cities, including the capital Sanaa.
Fuel supplies are now become available in all petrol stations in all cities.
