SANA'A: Yemen's Sheikh Hameed al-Ahmar announced on Monday that he was supporting the creation of a civil state in Yemen, stressing that the tribes understood the need for the country to move away from its feudal system to embrace democracy. The sheikh, whose brother is prominent tribal leader of the Hasheed confederation of tribes, Sheikh Sadeeq al-Ahmar, reminded the audience that his men had been active participants in the popular uprising, which led President Ali Abdullah Saleh to leave the presidency. Early into the revolution, Hameed al-Ahmar, who for years advocated Saleh's removal from power, threw his weight and that of his political party, al-Islah, behind the protesters, offering them financial and military support. The Sheikh said that he is now committed to rebuilding the country on “the principles of justice, equality and fairness.” Al-Ahmar also urged his fellow countrymen to bury their antagonism and work towards national reconciliation, saying that it is vital for Yemen to engage in a global dialogue with all the political and tribal factions, leaving no stone unturned, “not even the sore point of southern secessionism, to guarantee the country's future stability and security.” Only a day after President Saleh reiterated his support of Vice-President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi, al-Ahmar also confirmed he had much faith in the coalition government and its leadership as he stressed that “despite having moved within Saleh's inner circle for two decades, Hadi had not been tarnished by corruption.” Despite those reassuring words and calls for peace, security analysts are still concerned over brewing discontent in Yemen's northern and southern provinces as al-Houthis, a Shia rebel group and the southern secessionist movement are growing restless. Several incidents near the sea port city of Aden sparked talks of a possible civil war, with southern leaders hardening their tones towards Sana'a. With the imminent return of President Saleh to the capital ahead of the elections, Yemenis are bracing themselves. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/C8e0C Tags: Ahmar, Civil State, Democracy, Elections Section: Latest News, Yemen
