Germany condemns government violence in Yemen

The German government here on Monday condemned the latest escalation of violence in Yemen, media reports said. The repressive security forces crackdown provokes an escalation of the situation, a German foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying. Security forces have reportedly killed at least 50 demonstrators since Sunday, Yemeni opposition groups were quoted as saying. Berlin urged all conflict parties in Yemen to work swiftly towards a peaceful and orderly political transition. Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has to enact practical steps, paving the way for the creation of a transitional government and holding early elections, according to the German foreign ministry. Dozens of people have been killed and hundreds were wounded over the past two days after government troops opened fire on protesters, among them women and children. Officials have rejected accusations that the regime had planned the attacks, and claimed the protesters were shot at because they tried to destroy an electricity plant. The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council brokered a deal last spring geared at ensuring a peaceful transition of power, and even granted immunity to Saleh against prosecution. Protesters rejected the agreement, saying Saleh should be put on trial for the death of hundreds of people since anti-government rallies began in February. Saleh has been recovering in Saudi Arabia from wounds suffered during an attack on the presidential compound in June. The Yemeni opposition has vowed they will keep the protest movement alive and out on the streets until Saleh and 'his political team' leave office.