Yemen

[Faranacab]

Yemen's defence minister Mohammad Nasser Ali read a statement on state television in Sanaa earlier this evening, saying that the army supports president Ali Abdullah Saleh and will defend him against any "coup against democracy", according to the statement. [Photo via Reuters]

[Faranacab]

Sounds of explosions and shooting were briefly heard in an area near a presidential place in Yemen's eastern port of Mukalla, residents say.

The nature of the shooting is not clear, but residents say there could have been clashes between pro-government troops and forces loyal to a regional military commander who is among top officers who voiced support for anti-government protesters earlier today.

Residents say the shooting has ended and there did not seem to have been any casualties.

Al jazeera

[Faranacab]

Protesters have been demanding an end to president Saleh's rule...

Photo by Reuters

[Faranacab]

Arab League representatives meeting in the Egyptian capital condemn "crimes against civilians" in Yemen and urge the government to deal with the people's demands in a "peaceful manner".

The Arab League "strongly condemns the crimes committed against civilians, and calls for concerted efforts to safeguard national unity and the right to free expression," they said in a statement.

They also called for "dialogue and democratic methods to deal with the demands of the Yemeni people in a peaceful manner"

AJ

[juzme123]

Things are moving fast.

[Faranacab]

The wave of Arab revolts against dictators seems fast and unstoppable,...

[Faranacab]

(CNN) -- Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and a top military general are discussing a deal for a peaceful transition of power that would allow Saleh to stay in place for the rest of the year, a Yemeni official and senior U.S. official said Monday.


The Deal:

• 1* Saleh step down by the end of the year.
  
  2* Yemenis be allowed to protest without fear of violence.
  
  3* A committee be formed to investigate attacks against protesters; that families of all protesters killed or wounded be compensated by the state.
  
  4* The government implement constitutional and electoral reforms.
  
  5* The removal of Saleh's family members from the armed services.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast ... index.html

[Faranacab]

Reuters - Yemen president Ali Abdullah Saleh, invites young people to join what is described as a "transparent and open dialogue".

"President Ali Abdullah Saleh is truly sympathetic with the youth and is interested in their problems and causes," state media reports, citing an official source.

"The president calls the youth to a transparent, sincere and open dialogue."