SANA’A – A Gulf Arab plan for Yemen’s president to step down would guarantee the veteran leader and his family immunity from prosecution, according to an opposition source, but youth activists say that should be rejected.
The United States and Gulf Arab countries, including Yemen’s key financial backer Saudi Arabia, appear ready to push aside a long-time ally against al-Qaeda’s Yemen- based wing to avoid a chaotic collapse of the poorest Arab state.
Mr Saleh’s sometimes violent response to two months of protests against his 32-year rule has tried the patience of Washington and Riyadh, both of which have been the target of attempted attacks by al-Qaeda’s Yemen-based branch.
The Gulf proposal for talks in Riyadh was presented to Mr Saleh and a coalition of opposition parties this week. The president welcomed it, while the opposition has withheld its response, but set conditions that may derail any talks, according to a source.
Gulf sources said the plan envisaged handing power to an interim council of tribal and political leaders which would help appoint a national unity government ahead of elections.
An opposition source said the proposal would give Mr Saleh and his family, whose control over key posts has long angered many Yemenis, immunity from prosecution. Youth activists said in a statement that that was unacceptable.
“We affirm that this is a people’s revolution demanding the fall and the trial of a regime . . . to build a new civilian state according to the will of the people, not international parties or political parties that do not represent us,” said a statement in the name of protest groups in Sana’a.
Talks in recent weeks, which included the US ambassador in Sana’a, became bogged down over Mr Saleh’s demand for assurances that he and members of his family would not face prosecution.
Mr Saleh has been trying for several weeks to involve Saudi Arabia, his most important foreign backer, sending his foreign minister to Riyadh two weeks ago. The Gulf states’ proposal envisages Mr Saleh handing over power to a vice-president, the opposition source said. Incumbent Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has said he does not want such a role, which suggests Mr Saleh would appoint a new figure.
“They informed the opposition that their vision is based on Saleh leaving power after handing authority to his deputy and then forming a national unity government that will prepare a new constitution . . . and parliament elections,” the source added.
“The Gulf vision is also based on Saleh’s proposal . . . that Saleh and his family will not face prosecution after they leave.” – (Reuters)