The North Africa Journal: Yemen Ruler's New Promise

Yemen Ruler's New Promise
================================================================================
The North Africa Journal on 22 November, 2011 02:02:00
 
VOANews says Jamal bin Omar said  Tuesday that political leaders involved in
talks had agreed to an  initiative from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that
calls for Saleh  to transfer power to a deputy. The transfer would be followed
by early  elections.
Saleh initially agreed to the GCC plan on three previous occasions but then
refused to sign the deal.
However,  Bin Omar said Tuesday that negotiators were discussing arrangements
for  a signing ceremony. Media reports say he will provide details in a  Tuesday
news conference.
For more than 10 months, protesters have  been demanding an end to Saleh's
33-year rule. The president's  supporters have frequently held rival rallies.
Al-Qaida-linked  militants have been trying to gain a stronghold in southern
Yemen as the  president battles unrest linked to anti-government protests.
On  Tuesday, military officials said at least 14 suspected al-Qaida  militants
were killed in clashes with Yemeni soldiers backed by  tribesmen. They say the
fighting erupted late Monday in the southern  Abyan province.