Yemen's president should transfer power, Gulf bloc says
By the CNN Wire Staff
April 11, 2011 -- Updated 0809 GMT (1609 HKT)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* The council also calls for a unity government, headed by the opposition
* It issues its statement after a weekend meeting in Saudi Arabia
* Saleh has welcomed the council's efforts
* The Yemeni government says calling on Saleh to step down now is going too
far
(CNN) -- A coalition of Persian Gulf nations is urging Yemen's President Ali
Abdullah Saleh to transfer powers to his vice president in an effort to
maintain "the unity of Yemen and its security and stability."
The Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation bloc of oil-producing countries,
also called for the formation of a national unity government to be chaired by
the opposition.
The council issued its statement Sunday after a meeting in the Saudi Arabian
capital, Riyadh. It was posted on the Saudi foreign ministry's website.
The statement included an invitation for the Yemeni government and opposition
parties to meet in Saudi Arabia but did not specify a time frame.
More death and injury in Yemen
RELATED TOPICS
* Yemen
* Gulf Cooperation Council
* Ali Abdullah Saleh
Last week, Saleh said he welcomes the council's efforts to help resolve the
political crisis in his country. He has said he intends to step down but only
under a peaceful and constitutional transition process.
Calling for Saleh's departure now is going too far, the Yemeni government has
said.
The United States, which has been allied with the Saleh government in its fight
against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, has welcomed past Gulf council
initiatives.
"We strongly encourage all sides to engage in this urgently needed dialogue to
reach a solution supported by the Yemeni people," Mark Toner, spokesman for the
State Department, said Friday.
"President Saleh has publicly expressed his willingness to engage in a peaceful
transition of power; the timing and form of this transition should be
identified through negotiation and begin soon."
Violence and protest has raged in Yemen, where protesters have called for the
ouster of Saleh. He has ruled the country since 1978.
Yemeni security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at protesters in the
capital late Saturday, eyewitnesses and medical teams said.
At least 14 demonstrators in Sanaa were injured by bullets, said Dr. Waseen
Qurashi at a field hospital.
Forces made dozens of arrests, eyewitnesses said.
In Taiz, Yemeni forces shot at anti-government protesters, according to field
medical teams and eyewitnesses. Medical staff said at least 19 protesters had
bullet wounds, with four in critical condition.
High unemployment fuels much of the anger among a growing young population who
have suffered from poverty. The protesters also cite government corruption and
a lack of political freedom.
The country has been wracked by a Shiite Muslim uprising, a U.S.-aided
crackdown on al Qaeda operatives and a looming shortage of water.
Saleh has promised not to run for president in the next round of elections.
CNN's Mohammed Jamjoom and Yousuf Basil contributed to this report
------------------------------------
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe : [email protected]
Unsubscribe : [email protected]
List owner : [email protected]
Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
