Yemeni opposition rejects Saleh offer (to step down after election)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: Al Jazeera

Yemen''s opposition groups have dismissed President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s offer to stand down after a presidential election at the end of the year, stepping up efforts to remove him from power.

Yassin Noman, head of Yemen''s opposition coalition, dismissed Saleh''s offer as "empty words" and a spokesman said the umbrella coalition would not respond.

"No dialogue and no initiatives for this dead regime," opposition spokesman Mohammed al-Sabry said on Thursday.

Tensions ratcheted higher a day ahead of a planned rally that protesters have dubbed "Friday of Departure", and presidential guards loyal to Saleh clashed with army units backing opposition groups demanding his ouster.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/03/201132513041139452.html

[Tx4obama]

1. From today: Yemeni President Nears Deal to Resign

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the country's top general are hashing out a political settlement in which both men would resign from their positions within days in favor of a civilian-led transitional government, according to three people familiar with the situation.
More here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4786101

[Adsos Letter]

2. That would certainly be better than having the (now divided) military

unleash a full-blown civil war.

[Alamuti Lotus]

3. Letting him leave on his terms is tantamount to letting him rule on his terms

I believe the point that the Opposition seeks to make is that it isn't his decision to make; for this, a real defeat of the dictator is necessary. This is not neat and tidy, but very necessary.

[Adsos Letter]

4. Better he leaves than they have a larger bloodbath.

Just my take on it, but I'm not in their shoes (nor are most posters to this board, I suppose).