World Bulletin/News Desk

Calm appeared to have been restored to Yemeni capital Sanaa on Thursday following a day of demonstrations held to protest a persistent fuel shortage that propelled President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi to reshuffle a number of key cabinet portfolios.

Authorities beefed up security around Sanaa since Thursday morning after protesters blocked major roads in the city during Wednesday protests.

In the second cabinet reshuffle in as many months, Hadi on Wednesday appointed new ministers of five key government portfolios, including electricity, information, oil and minerals, finance, and foreign affairs, according to Yemen's official news agency.

Angry protesters blocked key roads in Sanaa on Wednesday and set car tires alight to protest a weeks-long fuel shortage that has led to long lines outside petrol stations, traffic jams and frequent quarrels between drivers and security officials.

Earlier in June, Yemen's parliament called on Hadi to carry out a cabinet reshuffle, accusing the national accord cabinet – formed in 2011 – of failing to address the country's ills.

The South Arabian country has been dogged by turmoil since pro-democracy protests in 2011 forced autocratic president Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down after 33 years in power.