Yemen political crisis :
Sanaa quiet after demos
YEMEN: Sanaa was quiet Friday with no sign of the thousands of
protesters who had flooded the streets the previous day to demand the
ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978.
Reports that the protesters would stage another rally after the
weekly prayers proved unfounded and the situation was with no visible
extra police deployment, an AFP reporter said.
Saleh, who has been president for decades, was re-elected in
September 2006 for a seven-year mandate.
A draft amendment of the constitution, under discussion in Parliament
despite Opposition protests, could allow him if passed to remain in
office for life.
Slogans chanted during Thursday’s demonstration in Sanaa were firm in
demanding Saleh’s departure. “No to extending (Presidential tenure). No
to bequeathing (the Presidency),” chanted demonstrators, insisting that
it was “time for change.”
Security measures at the demonstrations appeared relaxed, but were
tight around the interior ministry and the central bank.
Saleh’s ruling General People’s Congress (GPC), meanwhile, organised
four simultaneous counter-demonstrations which were attended by
thousands of the government’s backers.
“No to toppling democracy and the constitution,” the president’s
supporters said on their banners.
Sanaa, Sundasy, AFP |