Yemeni opposition rejects Saleh offer

AL Jazeera Middle East

Opposition coalition calls the president''s offer to step down "empty words" ahead of rally dubbed "Friday of departure". Last Modified: 25 Mar 2011 01:56   Email Article Print Article Share Article Send Feedback

The opposition has dubbed a planned mass rally "Friday of Departure" [AFP] Yemen''s opposition groups have dismissed President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s offer to stand down after a presidential election at the end of the year, stepping up efforts to remove him from power. Yassin Noman, head of Yemen''s opposition coalition, dismissed Saleh''s offer as "empty words" and a spokesman said the umbrella coalition would not respond. "No dialogue and no initiatives for this dead regime," opposition spokesman Mohammed al-Sabry said on Thursday. Tensions ratcheted higher a day ahead of a planned rally that protesters have dubbed "Friday of Departure", and presidential guards loyal to Saleh clashed with army units backing opposition groups demanding his ouster. The opposition stance was echoed by General Ali Mohsen, who has thrown his weight behind the protesters. Defecting general The general, who sent troops to protect pro-democracy protesters in Sanaa, said the options before Saleh were now few, and criticised what he described as his "stubbornness", but said the armed forces were committed to protecting protesters. General Mohsen also said he had no desire to take power, as fears grew of a major confrontation between rival military units in the capital Sanaa or elsewhere. He said military rule in Arab countries was outdated and that the people would decide who would govern them in the framework of a modern, civilian state. "Ali Mohsen as an individual has served for 55 years and has no desire for any power or position," he told Reuters. "I have no more ambition left except to spend the remainder of my life in tranquility, peace and relaxation far from the problems of politics and the demands of the job." Mohsen, commander of the northwest military zone and Saleh''s kinsman from the al-Ahmar clan, is the most senior military officer to back the protests, and his move on Monday triggered a stream of defections in the military and government. Amnesty offer Saleh offered amnesty to defecting troops in a meeting with senior commanders, calling their decisions foolish acts taken in reaction to violence in Sanaa last Friday, when more than 40 protesters were shot dead. In his address, Saleh promised to transfer power peacefully, but gave no indication of the timing or conditions. "There is no way by any means or circumstance for the political system to offer itself to the gallows," Saleh said. "By all means come for political dialogue, and power can be transferred peacefully through constitutional institutions." He also vowed to defend himself by "all possible means" against the escalating campaign seeking to unseat him. Protesters who have been encamped in their thousands outside Sanaa University for about six weeks have hardened in their attitude towards Saleh, rejecting any idea of his remaining. They hope the "Day of Departure" after Friday prayers could bring hundreds of thousands onto the streets. They said on Thursday they were tired of the drip-feed of concessions. "This talk is aimed at delaying the announcement of the death of the regime. The opposition does not need to respond," spokesman Mohammed al-Sabry said. Washington, which has urged US citizens to leave Yemen, warned those remaining to stay away from demonstrations on Friday. Britain said it had drawn up plans for a possible military evacuation of its citizens who remain in Yemen. Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament he had reports that oil companies were withdrawing their staff. Britain said on Wednesday it was temporarily pulling out part of its embassy team from Sanaa ahead of protests expected on Friday. Source: Agencies