Protesters in Yemen released after riots

Sana'a: A Yemeni security official says authorities have released 12 opposition members who led protests in April in which they accused the government of neglecting the country's south.

Yemen's north and south fought a civil war 14 years ago.

The protesters were angry that the government has not given jobless soldiers from the defeated south new jobs in the country's military. Six people were killed in the rioting.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh's order to free the opposition leaders is an apparent attempt to ease tension before parliamentary elections in April.

The security official says nine other opposition members are expected to be released soon.

He spoke on Friday on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the press.