A Yemeni political activist whose weekend arrest triggered protests was released Monday (January 24th), according to wire reports.

Tawakul Karman, a journalist and member of the Islah party, was arrested for organising anti-government rallies. She called for the President Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign during rallies at Sanaa University last week. Another 18 activists were arrested Sunday, according to Reuters. Karman's lawyer said prosecutors informed him the other activists would be released.

People have the right to express their opinions, Interior Minister Mouthar al-Masri said on state television on Sunday, adding that they should be held within the limits of the law.

On Sunday Saleh dismissed opposition claims that he is grooming his son, Ahmed, to succeed him as president. "We are against succession. We are in favour of change," Saleh said in a televised speech.

Saleh accused the opposition of trying to get people to protest in the streets "while they [opposition leaders] are hiding in the basement".