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Embattled Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has rejected an exit plan by Gulf states trying to broker an end to bloody unrest, as tens of thousands of Yemenis turned out Friday for pro- and anti-government protests. "Our power comes from the power of our great people, not from Qatar, not from anyone else. This is blatant interference in Yemeni affairs," Saleh told a massive crowd of regime supporters in Sana'a. "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," he said. Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani said Thursday that members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) "hope to reach a deal with the Yemeni president to step down." The GCC proposal offered to Saleh would have seen him hand power over to his deputy, while providing guarantees of protection to him and his family, the opposition said. A diplomat in Sana'a confirmed the content of the GCC proposal, adding that it includes forming a national unity government led by the opposition. In contrast to his Friday remarks, Saleh had on Wednesday welcomed Gulf mediation, according to state news agency Saba, which said he "affirmed the necessity of a serious and fruitful dialogue to overcome the current crisis." And Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Kurbi said in a statement published Friday that Yemen's government was studying the Gulf initiative, and that "any initiative aimed at finding a solution to the crisis in accordance with the constitution of the Republic of Yemen is welcome." Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Yemenis turned out for rival protests in the capital Sana'a, one supporting the veteran president and the other calling for his departure. Pro-government demonstrators assembled in Tahrir Square, chanting slogans in support of Saleh. A few kilometers away, anti-government protesters massed at a square near Sana'a University. Clashes were not reported at either demonstration. The anti-government gathering was held under the slogan "Day of Steadfastness," while the pro-government rally was dubbed the "Day of Reconciliation." About 125 people have been killed since protests began against Saleh, inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. AFP |
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