[Arab News] Yemen's defiant leader President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, after serving as a lieutenant colonel in the army. He had been part of the conspiracy that bumped off his predecessor, Ibrahim al-Hamdi, in the usual tiresome military coup, and he has maintained power by keeping Yemen's many tribes fighting with each other, rather than uniting to string him up. ...
rejected a fresh offer from the opposition for a peaceful transition of power to end the current crisis as two people were killed and hundreds injured when police used live rounds, tear gas and batons to try to break up protests on Sunday.
The two dead were among around 10 people hit by bullets in the violence in Taiz, south of the capital, where doctors said dozens were maimed. Hundreds were treated for tear gas inhalation.
Saleh described the opposition's initiatives that seek his departure as arm-twisting. "We are ready to discuss a peaceful transition of power within the framework of the constitution. Arm-twisting (by the opposition) is out of question." Addressing his supporters, Saleh responded to the opposition's fresh initiative with defiance. "I call upon the so-called Joint Meeting (of parties) to put an end to the sit-ins, blockades and liquidations, and they should end the state of rebellion in some military units."
In the past, Saleh rejected a similar offer by the opposition and then, under ballooning street pressure, accepted demands for constitutional reforms and parliamentary elections by the end of the year. Saleh also promised not to run for president in the next round of elections.
On Saturday night, the opposition coalition presented their second road map for a smooth transition of power. The initiative includes Saleh delegating his powers to Vice President Abdu Rabu Hadi, who would restructure the national security, the central security and the Republican Guard systems.
The road map also suggested the formation of a transitional national council represented by political parties of all shades and holding a comprehensive national dialogue involving all political parties at home and abroad.
Following the national dialogue, a committee of experts and specialists will draft constitutional reforms.