Sana'a, Mar 20 (IANS): Yemen's Human Rights Minister Huda Al-ban resigned Saturday in protest against the shooting deaths of protesters in the Yemini capital, Xinhua reported.

She presented her resignation to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. At least 51 anti-government protesters were killed in Friday's violence in Sana'a.

Her deputy Ali Saleh Taisir also resigned. They blamed the ruling party for excessive use of force against protesters.

Earlier, Judicial Minister Hamoud al-Hitar and Tourism Minister Nabil al-Fakih had also resigned for the same reason.

Former culture minister Abdulwahab al-Rawhani and former agriculture minister Jalal Faqirah Friday declared to quit the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Saleh issued a decree Saturday to appoint Tariq Mohamed al-Shami as chairman of the state-run Saba news agency. He will replace Nasr Taha Mustafa who quit in protest against the killing of protesters.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets Saturday in the southern provinces of Ibb, Taiz, Aden, Hodayda and Hadramout to condemn what they described "bloodbath by the security authorities against Sanaa's peaceful protesters" and show support to the families of victims.