SANA'A: As tensions are on the rise again in Yemen as al-Islah, the main political party of the Opposition with 5 million registered members and the country's Islamic faction is calling for more protests and the immediate departure from Yemen of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the remnants of his regime, the latter remains defiant, determined to weather the new storm head on. In an address to the press and a clear message to his detractors, President Saleh announced that he would never leave his homeland when he knew that “traitors and foes” were threatening the very existence of the Republic. In a heartfelt call to his fellow Yemeni and “out of love for the country he bled for and would willingly die for”, Saleh said that only with the departure of al-Ahmars, of all al-Ahmars would he consider taking his leave as well. Al-Ahmar, a powerful tribal family which not only heads al-Islah but also controls tens of thousands of loyal fighters has been at war with the regime ever since the beginning of the popular uprising, with General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar posing as its main line of defense as he commands the 1st Armored Division. The Joint Meeting Parties, the block regrouping all parties of the Opposition is arguing that President Saleh is in breach of the GCC brokered power-transfer agreement as he continues to meddle in politics, heading the General People's Congress aka the ruling party since it controls the Parliament and half of the coalition government. Moreover, Saleh's family members still very much control the country's armed forces as his son, nephews and half-brother hold strategic posts in the military. “The Opposition will not be involved in any national dialogue if Saleh is atop of the GPC. The country revolted against him so it is impossible to involve him in any dialogue,” said Mohammed Qahtan, a spokesperson for the Opposition. Sources close to the matter warned that an armed conflict opposing Saleh and al-Ahmar was still in the cards as both factions were increasingly preparing their troops for a stand-off, unwilling to bow down to the other. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/zT6xv Tags: Saleh, Yemen Section: Latest News, Op-ed, Yemen
