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Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Friday he was ready to cede power to prevent more bloodshed in the country but only to what he called "safe hands" as a massive "Day of Departure" street protest against him began. "We don't want power, but we need to hand power over to safe hands, not to sick, resentful or corrupt hands," Saleh said in a rousing speech to supporters shown on state television. "We are against firing a single bullet and when we give concessions this is to ensure there is no bloodshed. We will remain steadfast and challenge them with all power we have,"Saleh said. Saleh's statements came after Yemen's opposition stepped up efforts to remove him on Thursday and dismissed his offer to stand down after a presidential election at the end of the year. Yassin Noman, head of 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. General Ali Mohsen, who sent troops to protect pro-democracy protesters in Sana'a, said the options before Saleh were now few, and criticized what he described as his "stubbornness," but said the armed forces were committed to protecting protesters. He said military rule in Arab countries was outdated. "Ali Mohsen as an individual has served for 55 years and has no desire for any power or position," Mohsen said. Agencies |
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