Yemeni’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh has described a mediation offer for his exit by the Gulf states as unconstitutional and is rejecting it. In a speech broadcast on state television he even called it “blatant interference” in Yemeni affairs.
The Gulf states are trying to broker an end to bloody protests, but amid protests in the Yemen capital, Sanaa, Saleh told his supporters Friday: “We were born free, and we have free will, and they have to respect our wishes. We reject any coup against democracy, the constitution and our freedom.
Saleh went on to say: “Our power comes from the power of our great people, not from Qatar, not from anyone else. This is blatant interference in Yemeni affairs.”
Last Thursday, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, said that members of the Gulf Cooperation Council hoped to reach a deal with the Yemeni President for him to step down.
However, in a statement published on Friday Abu Bakr al-Kurbi, Yemen’s foreign minister, said that Yemen’s government is studying an initiative by Gulf Arab states to end a months-long confrontation with anti-regime protesters. The Gulf countries’ mediation offer appeared to be welcomed by opposition groups.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Yemenis converged in the capital for rival demonstrations – with some demanding the President’s ouster and others showing their support. Police and army units were deployed to prevent any friction between the two sides.
More than 120 people have been killed since Yemen’s protests began on February 11, inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt They have been calling for an end to Saleh’s rule even since.
