Saleh’s intransigence jeopardizes GCC deal

Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration to demand the ouster of Yemen's President A tirade from Yemen’s embattled president on Friday threatened to scupper the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) efforts to end the political deadlock in the country. Ali Abdullah Saleh told a mass rally of supporters on Friday that he would resist calls to quit, describing as “outlaws” tens of thousands of protesters gathered a short distance away.

Protests demanding his departure have led to the deaths of 150 people since late January and the GCC efforts to broker a peaceful transition in Yemen remain in vain. UN chief Ban Ki-moon deplored the failure to agree to the plan.

“It is unfortunate and frustrating that all these agreements which were presented by the GCC and others in the international community have not been fully accepted and agreed and implemented,” Ban said at a conference in Sofia, according to AFP.

The GCC has said it was awaiting a “signal” from Saleh to revive efforts to end the crisis.

“I can assure you that I will resist,” Saleh told the crowd in Sanaa’s Sabbine Square after Friday prayers. “I would like to salute you for your kind feelings and adherence to the constitutional legitimacy … yes to legitimacy, no to chaos, no to sabotage, no to retaliation, no to plots by those outlaws ... (they are) bandits, murderers.” Saleh blasted opposition activists for allegedly cutting off the tongue of a pro-government poet, ordering security services to “bring the perpetrators to justice.”

“These actions are part of the scheme of chaos-loving parties who start with cutting off the tongue, then legs, hands and lastly cutting off heads,” he said. Saleh’s rivals gathered for what they called the “Friday for the loyalty of the people in the south,” while regime loyalists marked “Friday for security and stability” in a competing show of strength.

At the Change Square, the epicenter of the protests, large crowds demanded he quit immediately and be tried. There were no immediate reports of clashes between the two demonstrations.

“The people want to try the executioner,” the crowds chanted.

“Do not leave the places of protest until the fall of the tyrant,” a religious leader told protesters while another imam addressing supporters at Saleh’s rally accused the opposition of causing “chaos” in the country.

In Aden, demonstrators led a funeral procession of two protesters killed during a recent raid by security forces on a camping site.

In Taiz, thousands of protesters marched to denounce any initiative that could give Saleh amnesty. Similar protests also took place in Sada, Dhalae, Mukalla and Mareb.