US urges Yemeni president to sign transition deal

US urges Yemeni president to sign transition deal

2011-05-19 05:14:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- A top White House official on Wednesday urged Yemeni president to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) transition plan for the country "to move forward immediately with its political transition."

John Brennan, assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama for counterterrorism and homeland security, called President Ali Abdullah Saleh and noted that the transition plan is the best option for Yemen to regain its security and stability and "for the Yemeni people to realize their aspirations for peace and political reform."

"He affirmed the commitment of the United States to stand with the Yemeni government and people as they implement this historic agreement, foster economic development, and combat the security threat from al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula," the White House said in a readout of the call.

Brennan also called on all parties to refrain from violence.

The state-run Saba news agency reported on Wednesday that Secretary-General of Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif al-Zayani left Sana'a after a five-day visit, failing to secure a transition plan between Saleh and the opposition.

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.

Last week, Yemen's ruling party (General People's Congress Party) said that President Saleh will not resign under the current circumstances and the irresponsible attitudes of the opposition. Protesters reject the proposed plan as they want an immediate ouster of the long regime.

According to the United Nations, the recent political turmoil has left an estimated 140 deaths and hundreds of injuries as security forces have been firing live ammunition in order to disrupt mass protests.

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