Sana'a, Yemen  - At least ten people were injured as police fired in the air to disperse thousands of opposition supporters who gathered for an anti-election rally in the Yemeni capital Sana'a Thursday, witnesses said.

Clashes erupted in several areas of the city as police closed roads leading to the city centre, where the opposition was due to hold a rally to call for a boycott of the legislative elections due for April 2009.

Dozens of protesters were arrested, opposition sources said.

Interior Ministry officials said two policemen were also injured in the clashes.

The opposition has organised demonstrations in main cities across the country after the government employed regional electoral committees to update the electoral registry in preparation for the April ballot.

Opposition parties have also called for the electoral law to be amended to reduce the influence of the ruling General People's Party on the elections. (dpa)