Yemen’s President Saleh negotiating his departure
March 27th, 2011 - 5:14 pm ICT by ANISanaa, Mar.27 (ANI): Yemen’s President, Ali Abdullah Saleh is negotiating his departure from power during talks with the opposition.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi has said that transfer of power could be negotiated, and would not be an “obstacle” to reaching an agreement.
Qirbi’s comments represent the first time the government has confirmed Saleh is negotiating his own departure, with some believing his resignation is now just a matter of time.
“President Saleh is willing to look at all possibilities, as long as there are really serious commitments by the JMP (the opposition coalition] to come and initiate a serious dialogue between them and the ruling party,” Qirbi said while discussing the prospects of the deal.
He said the ruling General People’s Congress was holding talks with the opposition over the timing of a handover of power.
“I think the time period is something that can be negotiated. It shouldn’t be really an obstacle to reach an agreement,” he added.
“I think things are very close if the real intention is to reach an agreement. But if there are parties who want to obstruct it then, of course, one cannot predict,” The Scotsman quoted Qirbi, as saying.
However, opposition leaders expressed doubt about the prospect of an imminent breakthrough.
Yassin Noma, head of the opposition coalition, said: “We still have a very big gap. I think he is manoeuvring.”
The negotiations came a day after tens of thousands people attended rival mass rallies in Sanaa. (ANI)
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