Yemen's president has given his first speech to the nation since returning from Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Ali Abdullah Saleh dismissed the growing protests against him as the work of al-Qaeda terrorists and said that he was committed to a regional plan for a peaceful transfer of power.

Hours before Saleh spoke, there was more violence as forces loyal to the president targeted protesters, killing at least five across the country.

Al Jazeera's Azhar Sukri reports.