SANA'A: Mohamed Basendwa, Yemen's newly appointed Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that he would be forming his government in the next coming days, hoping by the swift move to avoid an armed confrontation between opposing factions. He added in his address to the press that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE would assist Yemen in their power and fuel crisis, providing Yemen's economy some much needed relief and a return to normality after months of unrest. Rumors from politicians are already circulating as to who would be nominated and at which post. Sources close to the regime revealed that Ahmed Saleh, President Saleh' son and head of the Republican Guards would be Yemen's next Defense Minister as his powerful father is lobbying for his eldest to remain in a position of power. Interestingly the Opposition is said to have agreed under the condition that Ahmed hands over his troops over to Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the man accused of plotting last June attack on the presidential compound. In the back drop of this news, more government troops were seen spread out throughout the capital, Sana'a, today and military tanks and other armored vehicles were positioned at streets corners. On the surrounding mountains, residents reported having seen tanks and anti-aircraft guns, which raised suspicions as to the regime's commitment towards a peaceful power transfer. “The regime looks like its gearing up for something and it doesn't look like a power transfer to me. In between military convoys arriving to Sana'a and the increased number of soldiers on the ground I'm worry,” Mohamed al-Manghary a resident near Hayel Street, told Bikyamasr.com. Despite further assurances from President Saleh to the White House that he would implement the GCC brokered power-transfer agreement, many in Yemen remain skeptic as tension seem to be mounting rather than abating. BM
