Yemen opposition hands president peaceful transition map amid protests

English.news.cn 2011-03-03

SANAA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni opposition handed over a road map to President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Wednesday for peaceful transition of power that must be implemented within a year.

"The opposition offered the president an honorable ending of his 33-year service as an act of appeasing anger of the protests demanding Saleh's immediate ouster," head of opposition coalition Mohammed al-Mutawakil told Xinhua.

The deal, which consists of five items, was mediated by the country's independent council of clerics in a bid to soften the mounting political tension which could place the country on the brink of a civil war if it lasts, al-Mutawakil said.

The five-point deal stipulates canceling the latest amendments to the constitution that proposed unilaterally by the ruling party earlier this year, rewriting the election laws, dismissing relatives of President Saleh from leadership positions in the army and security forces, guaranteeing the right of peaceful protest, and allowing the exiled opposition figures to take part in the national dialogue.

"The road-map deal will guarantee a peaceful transition of power, but it must be achieved before the end of this year and Saleh must keep his promise not to re-elect himself after his term ends in 2013," al-Mutawakil added.

"If President Saleh accepts our offer, then we will start resuming the dialogue that has been halted since last September and we will submit the names of our representatives for a unity government which was proposed by Saleh two days ago," he added.

There was no immediate comment from the government.

Saleh pledged last month to quit office after his presidential term expires in 2013 and promised not to hand power to his son.

Inspired by the Egyptian protests, thousands of Yemenis continue staging anti-regime protest rallies across the country, including the capital Sanaa, since Feb. 11.

Two anti-government protesters were killed and another three, including a soldier, were wounded in clashes with police in the southern province of Lahj on Wednesday when dozens of protesters tried to seize a state housing project, a local police told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, southern separatist group of the Southern Movement, which seeks to secede the south part of the country from the north after 20 years of unity, announced on Wednesday in a statement to join protest rallies demanding the oust of President Saleh.

Saleh vowed on Saturday that he and the army forces would take "full responsibility" to protect the unity of the nation until the last drop of their blood, according to state-run Saba news agency.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

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