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 on March 26.

On March 27, 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.

Yemen has been facing protests from people citing government corruption, a lack of political freedom and high unemployment.

Calls for Saleh's ouster have increased in recent weeks following revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. Saleh has ruled since 1978.

Saleh said on March 27 he will not offer any more concessions, and described the opposition as an alliance against the country's majority.