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Violence goes on as Yemen's leader quits
Source: Agencies |
November 25, 2011, Friday
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PRESIDENT Ali Abdullah Saleh's agreement to step down failed to end Yemen's violence yesterday as security forces killed five protesters demanding the ousted leader be put on trial for crimes ranging from corruption to bloodshed during the current uprising.
Saleh signed the US-backed power-transfer deal, brokered by neighboring countries, on Wednesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
It officially transfers power to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
But many doubt the deal marks the end of political life for Saleh, who has proved to be a wily politician and suggested in remarks after the signing ceremony that he could play a future political role in the country, along with his ruling party.
The tens of thousands of protesters in Yemen, who have distanced themselves from the formal opposition movement, rejected the immunity clause, saying Saleh should face trial for his regime's corruption and for the bloodshed caused by his forces in trying to put down the uprising against his 33-year rule.
Demonstrators camping in the capital, Sanaa, chanted "No immunity for the killer" and vowed to continue their protests.
Security forces and government supporters opened fire on the camp yesterday, killing five protesters, according to Gameela Abdullah, a medic at a local field hospital.
The power-transfer deal, which also calls for presidential elections within 90 days, could open the way to a messy power struggle, although a national unity government is supposed to oversee a two-year transitional period.
Among those who may seek power are Saleh's son and his nephew, who command the country's best-equipped military units, powerful tribal leaders and the commander of a renegade battalion.
Saleh clung to power despite nearly 10 months of street protests in which hundreds of people have been killed by his security forces. At one point, Saleh's palace mosque was bombed and he was treated in Saudi Arabia for severe burns.
"The signature is not what is important," Saleh said after signing the agreement.
"What is important is good intentions and dedication to serious, loyal work at true participation to rebuild what has been destroyed by the crisis during the last 10 months."
Saleh signed the US-backed power-transfer deal, brokered by neighboring countries, on Wednesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
It officially transfers power to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
But many doubt the deal marks the end of political life for Saleh, who has proved to be a wily politician and suggested in remarks after the signing ceremony that he could play a future political role in the country, along with his ruling party.
The tens of thousands of protesters in Yemen, who have distanced themselves from the formal opposition movement, rejected the immunity clause, saying Saleh should face trial for his regime's corruption and for the bloodshed caused by his forces in trying to put down the uprising against his 33-year rule.
Demonstrators camping in the capital, Sanaa, chanted "No immunity for the killer" and vowed to continue their protests.
Security forces and government supporters opened fire on the camp yesterday, killing five protesters, according to Gameela Abdullah, a medic at a local field hospital.
The power-transfer deal, which also calls for presidential elections within 90 days, could open the way to a messy power struggle, although a national unity government is supposed to oversee a two-year transitional period.
Among those who may seek power are Saleh's son and his nephew, who command the country's best-equipped military units, powerful tribal leaders and the commander of a renegade battalion.
Saleh clung to power despite nearly 10 months of street protests in which hundreds of people have been killed by his security forces. At one point, Saleh's palace mosque was bombed and he was treated in Saudi Arabia for severe burns.
"The signature is not what is important," Saleh said after signing the agreement.
"What is important is good intentions and dedication to serious, loyal work at true participation to rebuild what has been destroyed by the crisis during the last 10 months."
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