Yemeni government crackdown on protesters continues as GCC pushes transition plan

Yemeni government crackdown on protesters continues as GCC pushes transition plan

2011-05-08 01:33:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- At least one student was killed and fifteen others injured on Saturday when Yemeni security forces opened fire to disperse a massive demonstration in southern Taiz province.

According to the Yemen Post, an eyewitness said security forces in uniform and in plainclothes fired live bullets at the peaceful demonstration, killing a 13-year-old boy. Tens of thousands of secondary and primary students were marching to call for delaying the exams amid the continuous protests across the country.

Demonstrations were held in several cities to call for an immediate ouster of President Saleh as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is pushing its plan for a peaceful transition in Yemen. Protesters reject any initiative not ensuring the immediate departure of the regime and trying those responsible for the killing of anti-government protesters.

The GCC-proposed plan calls for Saleh's resignation within 30 days from the acceptance date and guarantees that he will not be prosecuted. It also contemplates holding presidential elections within two months from the date of Saleh's departure as well as the establishment of a new government within 90 days.

On Friday, the GCC announced and submitted to the ruling and opposition parties a fourth version of the plan. Under the new version, thirty officials from the ruling and opposition parties should be picked to sign the final agreement after President Saleh refused to sign it as the president. Saleh said he will sign the final agreement as head of the General People's Congress, the ruling party, instead.

According to the United Nations, the recent political turmoil has left an estimated 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Many reports indicate that security forces have been firing live ammunition in order to disrupt mass protests.

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