Yemen leader must follow through on transfer: US
AFP
WASHINGTON- Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh "needs to follow through on his commitment" to cede power under a plan brokered by states in the region, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.
"The government of Yemen must address the legitimate will of the people," Clinton said in a statement after Yemen's opposition signed an accord on a power transfer that was expected to be accepted by the embattled leader on Sunday.
"The United States will continue to support the Yemeni people as you work toward a unified, stable, democratic, and prosperous Yemen. We continue to call for a peaceful transition of power so that the citizens of Yemen may one day realize your aspirations."
Saleh, who would quit within 30 days under the agreement, earlier attacked it as a "coup" that will aid Al-Qaeda but said he reluctantly accepted it for the sake of the nation.
Since late January, security forces have mounted a bloody crackdown on anti-regime protests, leaving at least 180 people dead, according to a toll compiled from reports by activists and medics.
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