Yemeni opposition to join unity gov't, require president quit army
"The opposition coalition will be ready to take part in the joint unity government with the ruling party after President Saleh guarantees the peaceful transition of power, which will only be achieved by Saleh's resignation from his posts in the army and finance ministry," head of the opposition coalition Mohammed al- Mutawakil told Xinhua.
The opposition's response came hours after Saleh asked them to form a unity government within 24 hours in a bid to stave off potential unrest.
Al-Mutawakil made it clear that the "opposition would not mind that Saleh stays in office until his presidential term expires in 2013, if he quits his posts in the army and finance ministry."
He also said the opposition coalition did not call for "an early presidential election," considering "Saleh's resignation as president is not necessary now."
He added that the opposition is studying these days on how the power can be transferred peacefully, and it does not pay a lot of attention to the matter of participating in the joint unity government.
Saleh's offer, which called on the opposition to submit names for ministerial posts, came on the eve of a massive protest dubbed "the day of rage", which was organized by the opposition to call for an end to the 33-year rule of Saleh; Kazinform cites Xinhua.
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