Sanaa: Yemen`s president has offered to form a unity government with opponents who want him out of office — provided protests against him stop.
President Ali Abdullah Saleh`s offer was swiftly rejected by oppositon figures. Saleh has come under mounting pressure in recent weeks to step down, with large daily rallies calling for his ouster. Key allies, including some tribal chiefs, have abandoned him.
Saleh has promised to step down after national elections in 2013. He told religious leaders Monday that leaving office is not his decision alone, but that of the people.
The president added "I am ready to form a national unity government" whenever the opposition name its candidates for government posts. Saleh said this should happen after protests end.
Bureau Report
