Yemeni President Saleh calls for early presidential elections

[News_Editor]

Yemeni President Saleh calls for early presidential elections

2011-05-21 00:04:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANA'A, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Friday called for holding early presidential elections in order to avoid further violence as anti-government protests continue, the state-run Saba news agency reported.

The announcement was made during a speech at Al-Sabeen Square in the Yemeni capital. Saleh said that the General People's Congress party (the current ruling coalition) will continue existing even if an opposition party wins elections.

The Yemeni president added that he has confidence in the people that the ruling coalition will remain at the helm. The speech was part of the 21st anniversary of the Yemeni Unification. Saleh did not announce a date for the early elections.

In addition, the Yemen's ruling party said that the opposition will sign Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) transition plan on Sunday. The opposition accused Saleh of derailing the transition attempts by the GCC.

On Wednesday, Saleh announced that he will not sign the GCC deal despite the presence of GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani. The U.S. and France criticized the Yemeni leader for not finalizing the deal and urged all parties to conclude negotiations as soon as possible.

The youth-led anti-government protesters also rejected the GCC proposition as it includes giving immunity to Saleh. Instead, they called fro prosecuting the Yemeni president and ensuring the immediate and unconditional ouster of the current regime.

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.

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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