Yemeni president makes call for peace but bloodshed continues in Sana’a
The Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, addressed his troubled nation for the first time since returning to the country after an assassination attempt in June, and said he was committed to a deal to end months of escalating violence.
Although he made no promise to step down, Yemen’s autocratic ruler of 33 years said he wanted to transfer power through early presidential elections. He has signalled an intention several times to sign a US-backed deal to step aside in exchange for immunity from prosecution only to back out at the last minute.
In Sunday’s televised address, made on an eighth day of violence that has rocked the capital Sana’a raising the death toll to more than 100, he said he was committed to the deal, which was drafted by an alliance of Gulf nations that includes Saudi Arabia. “Let’s all go towards dialogue, understanding and peaceful exchange of power through elections and early presidential elections,” he said.
His opponents, however, do not trust him and believe he is stalling for time while consolidating his hold on power. Saleh has tasked his vice president with overseeing negotiations on the deal, but at no point in his address did he provide any indication he might agree to demands to step down immediately.
“His speech was evidence to us that Saleh has no intention of transferring power in the coming period,” said Faizah Suleiman, a female protester leader from the youth coordinating council.
Saleh was confronted by further scenes of violence on Sunday, the second day after his surprise return from Saudi Arabia, as government troops under the command of his son Ahmed fired on unarmed protesters marching through the capital.