Washington: Yemen`s President Ali Abdullah Saleh "needs to follow through on his commitment" to cede power under a plan brokered by states in the region, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Saturday.
"The government of Yemen must address the legitimate will of the people," Hillary said in a statement after Yemen`s opposition signed an accord on a power transfer that was expected to be accepted by the embattled leader on Sunday.
"President Saleh needs to follow through on his commitment to transfer power," she added.
"The United States will continue to support the Yemeni people as you work toward a unified, stable, democratic, and prosperous Yemen. We continue to call for a peaceful transition of power so that the citizens of Yemen may one day realise your aspirations."
Saleh, who would quit within 30 days under the agreement, earlier attacked it as a "coup" that will aid al Qaeda but said he reluctantly accepted it for the sake of the nation.
Since late January, security forces have mounted a bloody crackdown on anti-regime protests, leaving at least 180 people dead, according to a toll compiled from reports by activists and medics.
Bureau Report
