Saleh returned to Yemen after a three-month medical stay in Saudi Arabia, said Mohammed Albasha, the Yemeni government spokesman.
Protesters have been calling for the ouster of the longtime president, who had been recuperating from a June attack on his palace. He has vowed to finish his term.
Government forces shot in the air to celebrate his return as tanks patrolled the streets of Sanaa.
Clashes between anti- government fighters and Republican Guard forces intensified Friday in at least four different areas in Sanaa, Yemen's capital.
Protests were expected Friday, a continuation of the demonstrations against Saleh that have stretched on for months.
Demonstrators began protesting Saleh's 33-year-old regime on February 11 inspired by the revolution in Egypt.
A month later, Saleh offered to draft a new constitution that would establish a parliamentary system, but protesters persisted in calling for his resignation, and numerous high-ranking political and military officials resigned or were dismissed.
Saleh balked after making overtures to accept an agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council to step down and protests have continued.
Amnesty International said that since February, 200 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in the protests.
Government officials have repeatedly denied accusations of excessive use of force, and said the government is committed to establishing a peaceful transfer of power.
Yemeni officials have said forces cracked down on those committing acts of violence during protests."
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