Yemen's opposition blamed President President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower...
Thursday for the failure of a Gulf plan aimed at ending a bloody political dispute, saying the leader would do "everything" to remain in power.
Saleh "foiled the initiative by refusing to sign it" Wednesday, head of the opposition Common Forum Yassin Saeed Noman told Agence La Belle France Presse.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif al-Zayani flew out of Sanaa Wednesday after sources close to the negotiations between the regime and opposition said the two sides again failed to ink the accord to power transfer.
Saleh, in power since 1978, "has refused the peaceful choice and is ready to do everything to remain in power," said Noman.
"With this, the regime will have to face the people who will continue with their peaceful revolt and will continue to escalate, even if the regime uses violence against them," he said.
Conditions Saleh has set that he says will enable him to sign in his capacity as president cannot be met, said another member of the Common Forum who requested anonymity.
According to the Gulf-brokered proposal, Saleh would quit office within 30 days, in return for immunity from prosecution, before a government of national unity is formed and elections for a new president held after two months.
Washington issued a fresh plea Wednesday for the deal to be inked.
U.S. President Barack
B.O.Obama's aide John Brennan called Saleh to urge him to sign and implement the agreement "so that Yemen is able to move forward immediately with its political transition," a White House statement said.
The impoverished but strategic Arabian Peninsula country has been gripped by protests since late January calling for Saleh's ouster.
Security forces have mounted a deadly crackdown on the protests, leaving at least 180 people dead, according to a toll compiled from reports by activists and medics.