Protests fail to move Yemen ministers

The Yemeni government has vowed to maintain its oil price rise despite the deaths of at least 36 people during two days of protests across the country.

Aljazeera reported the toll rose to 36 after the second day of protests against the new fuel prices.

A cabinet statement, said the government had concluded that the continuation of subsidising fuel products would eventually lead to an increase in the budget deficit and put pressure on exchange rates and prices. Therefore, the government would maintain high oil prices.

Officials argued the budget deficit would plunge to 13% if fuel prices were cut.

Al Jazeera