Sana'a, Yemen  - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh vowed on Wednesday to impose law and order in the north-western province of Saada where the army has been fighting with Shiite rebels since 2004.

"The state will bear its national, constitutional and legal responsibility to enforce law and order and protect the homeland and citizens," Saleh said in a televised speech marking the 18th anniversary of his country's reunification.

Fighting between Shiite rebels loyal to the outlawed Believing Youth group, known as Houthis, and government forces has been raging on and off in Saada since mid-2004.

Saada is a remote mountainous province located the border with Saudi Arabia, some 230 kilometres north of the capital Sana'a.

"Those lawbreaking elements would bear complete responsibility for not responding to wisdom," Saleh said.

Authorities accuse the rebels of trying to reinstall the imamate rule that was toppled by a republican revolution in northern Yemen in 1962.

Houthis, who belong mostly to the moderate Zaidi sect of Islam, say they were only defending their areas from army offensives. (dpa)