Yemen battles al Qaeda as president clings to power

Anti-government protesters demonstrate in Sanaa Sunday as President Ali Abdullah Saleh denies he wants to cling to power. STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Saleh says he will not offer more concessionsOpposition figure: Saleh is 'like a snake'Three AQAP fighters, seven Yemeni soldiers killed in fighting, officials saidProtesters seek ouster of Saleh, who has ruled since 1978 (CNN) -- Fighting between Yemeni security forces and members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has left people on both sides dead over the past two days, Yemeni security forces said.

The reports came as President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been fighting to hold onto power, arguing that he is best equipped to lead the fight against Islamists.

Three "al Qaeda terrorists were killed" and six others were arrested in Lawdar district, Yemen's official news agency Saba reported Saturday.

On Sunday, seven Yemeni soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded when members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula attacked them in Mareb, two security officials said. The attack took place at a military checkpoint a mile north of the government complex in Mareb province, east of the capital, Sanaa.

The attackers also used grenades and machine guns, and took two military vehicles from the checkpoint, the security forces said.

After the fighting Saturday, the Yemeni government said it was a sign that strong measures are needed to combat instability within the country. Saba reported that Governor Saleh al-Zawari of Abyan province affirmed "the importance to enhance security performance to strictly confront any attempts to disturb security and stability in the governorate."

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