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Yemen Transition Falters as Loyalists Hit Streets

   VOA News  May 22, 2011
   Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh reacts while delivering a speech to
   his supporters, during a rally in his support in Sana'a, Yemen, May 20,
   2011.

Photo: AP

   Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh reacts while delivering a speech to
   his supporters, during a rally in his support in Sana'a, Yemen, May 20,
   2011.

   Yemen's president appears to be backing out again from signing a Gulf
   region-brokered deal that would have him transfer power within a month.
   President Ali Abdullah Saleh said Sunday that he is not interested in
   signing a deal inked "behind closed doors."
   His statement came hours before he was scheduled to sign the agreement.
   Plans to sign the deal have already stalled twice because of objections
   by the Yemeni leader.
   Yemen's opposition signed the pact Saturday with the understanding that
   the president would sign the agreement Sunday.
   Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis in the capital Sanaa poured into a
   central square Sunday that has become the center of opposition
   protests.
   At the same time, supporters of Mr. Saleh blocked roads to protest the
   deal.
   The agreement offers Mr. Saleh immunity from prosecution if he
   transfers power to a deputy within 30 days of signing.
   In a speech Saturday, the president denounced the U.S.-backed proposal
   as a "coup" and warned that his departure could allow al-Qaida to take
   over parts of Yemen.
   The Yemeni leader has faced months of anti-government protests
   demanding he end his more than 30-year rule. His government has
   responded to the demonstrations with a bloody crackdown.

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References

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