Around 2,000 prisoners in Yemen's main jail have staged a revolt against the president.

They took a dozen guards hostage and joined calls by anti-government protesters for Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down.

The unrest in the Sanaa prison erupted last night when prisoners set their mattresses one fire and occupied the courtyard.

Guards fired tear gas and gunshots into the air but could not regain control.

Several inmates were hurt in the unrest.

Yemen has been rocked by weeks of protests against the president .

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