Protesters carry the injured during clashes with police in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz April 3, 2011.
The US President Barack Obama administration has reportedly decided to drop its support for the embattled Yemeni president following widespread anti-government protests in the Arab country.
Citing US and Yemeni officials, the New York Times reported Sunday that the United States has been helping to negotiate the transition of power in Yemen since a week ago.
The talks center on a proposal for Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to transit power to a provisional government under his vice-president until there can be new elections.
"Until President Saleh is able to resolve the current political impasse by announcing how and when he will follow through on his earlier commitment to take tangible steps to meet opposition demands, the security situation in Yemen is at risk of further deterioration," said an unnamed US official.
That principle "is not in dispute," an unnamed Yemeni official said.
Washington sees “Saleh's position as untenable due to the widespread protests, and believe he should leave office,” other US officials were quoted as saying.
Since mid-February, Yemen has been witnessing daily anti-government rallies -- inspired by the protests in Tunisia and Egypt -- which demand crucial economic and political reforms.
The Yemeni protesters are also demanding the ouster of President Saleh who has often signaled that he has no intention of resigning soon.
Despite daily anti-government rallies, Saleh says he plans to remain in office until his term ends later this year.
More than 82 people have been killed in the anti-government rallies in Yemen so far.
Yemeni security forces reportedly killed two demonstrators and injured hundreds more during a crackdown on anti-government protesters in the southern city of Taiz on Sunday.
DB/HJL/HRF
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