Yemeni opposition signs power transition deal

Yemeni opposition signs power transition deal

2011-05-22 01:32:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- Yemen's opposition on Saturday signed a Gulf-brokered deal for a transition of power to end the country's political crisis, an opposition official said.

"The opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) signed the U.S.- backed deal proposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at the presence of the GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani, a day before President Ali Abdullah Saleh was due to ink the deal, which stipulated that he would quit within a month," the official told Xinhua news agency.

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.

Following the departure of the GCC chief, an opposition official told Xinhua that al-Zayani informed the leaders of the JMP that Saleh has finally agreed to ink the agreement on Sunday to finalize the power transition deal. The opposition accused Saleh of derailing the transition attempts and said they would sign the transition plan this weekend.

Earlier on Saturday, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that al-Qaida could take over many governorates in Yemen, if the regime left, the state-run Saba news agency reported.

"Those who seek for powers said if the regime left, al-Qaida will vanish. Al-Qaida will complete its control over Marib, Hadramout, Shabwa, Abyan and Jawf. These governorates will be forced to accept al-Qaida, because they do not want the Joint Meeting Parties (JMPs)", Saleh said at a ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of the Yemeni National Day.

The president said he wanted to deliver the message to the United States and the European Union so that they would realize that "what is coming is worse than what is occurring now".

Saleh also blamed the opposition "Joint Meeting Parties" for the killing of at least 154 soldiers, who are now considered "martyrs of the country." He also said some 145 innocent people have been killed and 3318 wounded due to the protests.

The youth-led anti-government protesters rejected the GCC proposition as it includes giving immunity to Saleh. Instead, they called for 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.

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