President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh announced state of emergency Friday, after protesters clashed with police leaving more than 40 people dead, according to the medics.

"The national security council announces a state of emergency across Yemen," Saleh told reporters.

Medics said that 42 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in the bloodbath. Minister Interior Gen. Mouthar al-Masri stated that 25 persons were killed and 200 injured.

President Saleh expressed his "regret" at the bloodshed, describing the victims as "martyrs of democracy," the agencies reported.

Witnesses said pro-Saleh forces had rained bullets from rooftops around a square at Sanaa University, while the people were protesting demanding the departure of Saleh.

An AFP correspondent saw the police firing at protesters as well.

Saleh denied to reporters that police had fired any shots. "The police were not present and did not open fire. The clashes happened between citizens and demonstrators," he said.