Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh will respond "positively" to an opposition plan for him to step down from power and reform politics, a senior aide said today, as nationwide protests against his rule continued.
Yemen's coalition of opposition parties, joined by some tribal and religious leaders, proposed a five-point "roadmap" this week to Mr Saleh, a US ally against al-Qaeda who has ruled the Arabian Peninsula state for 32 years.
Yemen, neighbour to top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and the regional base for one of al-Qaeda's most active branches, teeters on the brink of failed statehood. Analysts say the protests sweeping across the country may make it difficult even for Mr Saleh, a clever political survivalist, to cling to power.
Leaders of the opposition coalition say their plan would pave the way for Mr Saleh to step down by the end of 2011, though youths and activists have said they are sceptical and demand his immediate resignation.
"There will be a positive response to the proposal," a senior official told Reuters. "The details are being discussed by the two sides right now, and we'll announce a final position at a later time," he said. He did not specify when.
Mohammed al-Sabry, an opposition spokesman, also said Mr Saleh would accept the plan, but it needed approval from the street.
"Even if the president accepts our initiative he has to propose it to the people, and they will decide whether to accept it or not," he said.
Mr Saleh was unable to persuade opponents his previous offer to step down in 2013 was anything more than a manoeuvre to ward off unrest, galvanised by successful uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
"This is clearly a way of getting around the youth revolution. The protesters will not accept anything other than the departure of this regime immediately and with no delays," said Samia al-Aghbari, a leading Sanaa activist.
The opposition's plan includes changing the constitution, rewriting election laws to ensure fair representation in parliament, removing Mr Saleh's relatives from leadership positions in the army and security forces, and guaranteeing the right to peaceful protest.
Reuters
