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| Arabia |
| Yemenis hail transitional council |
| 2011-07-26 |
| [Iran Press TV] Anti-government protesters have poured into the streets in southern Yemen to expressed support for the newly formed transitional council to run the country. Mass rallies in support of the 17-member council of opposition figures were held in the cities of Taizz and Ibb on Monday. Demonstrators also called for the downfall of the government of country's long-time dictator President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh ... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower... and formation of a civilian government. They also demanded the prosecution of Saleh and his regime officials over the killing of hundreds of anti-government protesters since opposition rallies began in the country in late January. Yemeni anti-government youth groups set up the transitional council last week to manage the country's affairs and to lead efforts to try and force Saleh from power before his possible return from Soddy Arabia. According to the Youth Revolution Council, one of Yemen's largest youth organizations, the council would include former Yemeni president Ali Nasser Mohammed, former defense minister General Abdullah Ali Aleiwa and leaders of several opposition groups, including those in exile. Tawakul Karman, a member of the transitional council, said the council has three priorities: the abolishment of Saleh's regime, leading the country during a transition period, and the prosecution of Saleh, his son, and members of his regime. The council will also announce a 501-member "national assembly" that will draft a new constitution, Karman said. Since Saleh left the country for Soddy Arabia for medical treatment in early June following an attack on the presidential palace, Yemenis are holding almost daily anti-government protests across the country, demanding his resignation. Protesters have vowed to continue their protest rallies and sit-in through the Mohammedan fasting month of Ramadan until their demands are met. "We will continue our sit-in through Ramadan, not just during Ramadan, until all of Saleh's regime and its elements are removed. We have now removed the root but we are left with the stem, the corrupt elements who control the oil and petroleum facilities, gas and water. They want to rule this nation while they entrap its citizens," Rooters quoted anti-government protester Abdullah al-Ghashmary as saying. |
| Posted by:Fred |