Saleh ‘resists’ as thousands rally in Yemen
GCC-brokered exit deal on hold as Saleh rejects calls to quit and pro- and anti-government crowds return to the streets.
| Yemeni opposition groups have vowed to continue protesting until Saleh steps down [Al Jazeera] |
Yemeni opposition leaders have dismissed the country’s president’s stance on a revised Gulf-backed plan to ease him out of power, as massive demonstrations keep up pressure on Ali Abullah Saleh to resign.
The rejection on Friday came a day after Saleh refused to sign the deal until representatives of both the ruling party and the opposition sign it, postponing the signing ceremony indefinitely.
Sultan Atwani, an opposition leader, told reporters his bloc would not accept the plan proposed by the Gulf Co-operation Council that envisages Saleh stepping down in 30 days in the hope that would end three months of political crisis.
There were also large anti-government protests in Taiz, Yemen’s second city. “Do not leave the places of protest until the fall of the tyrant,” a religious leader told crowds.
But Saleh hit back, telling a mass rally of supporters after Friday prayers that he would resist calls to quit, describing as “outlaws” the tens of thousands of protesters gathered a few kilometres away.
“I can assure you that I will resist,” Saleh told pro-government crowds in Sabbine Square in Sanaa, the capital.