Yemen's ruling party affirms president to stay till 2013

SANAA. March 28. KAZINFORM Yemen's ruling party on Sunday affirmed that President Ali Abdullah Saleh will stay until his presidential term expires in 2013, the Defense Ministry said through its mobile service; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

It said the fresh decision came in a statement by the ruling General People's Congress (GPC) following a meeting with the president on Sunday, during which they discussed the ongoing political crisis.

Tariq al-Shami, a spokesman of the GPC, told Xinhua the meeting also decided to renew calls for the opposition to resume the dialogue for the sake of the country.

Saleh has been facing escalating protests since mid February which demanded the end to his long time rule.

There was no immediate comment from the opposition; Kazinform cites Xinhua.