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Yemen's President Says He Plans to Stay

   VOA News  May 13, 2011
   Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh (C) attends a rally held by
   pro-government supporters in Sanaa, May 13, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh (C) attends a rally held by
   pro-government supporters in Sanaa, May 13, 2011

   Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has vowed to stay in his post,
   despite massive protests calling for his resignation.
   President Saleh told supporters in the capital, Sana'a, on Friday that
   he would confront challenges from opponents.
   Meanwhile, anti-government activists are planning what they call
   "Friday of Decisiveness" protests across the country.
   The call for fresh protests comes in the wake of a deadly government
   crackdown on demonstrations earlier this week.
   Witnesses say two people were killed on Thursday after gunmen loyal to
   Saleh opened fire on protesters in the central city of al-Bayda. On
   Wednesday, at least 12 people were killed in anti-government unrest.
   Meanwhile, news reports say Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) chief
   Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani will travel to Yemen on Saturday in a
   bid to resurrect a deal brokered by the group. The deal calls for Saleh
   to transfer powers to a deputy, but he has refused to sign it in his
   capacity as president.
   Qatar pulled out of the GCC plan on Thursday. A foreign ministry
   official said Qatar was forced to act because of "indecision and delays
   in signing the proposed agreement" and the "continued escalation and
   intensity of clashes" between Yemeni security forces and opposition
   protesters.
   In a separate development, the French News Agency (AFP) says suspected
   al-Qaida militants ambushed a military vehicle in Yemen on Friday and
   killed five soldiers.
   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters..

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