Yemen: president under pressure to step down

A leading general in Yemen‘s army and a further two other commanders have joined thousands of protesters and defected from the Government.

General Ali-Mohsan al-Ahmar, who was believed to be close to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, has joined the opposition as it appears that the country’s leader is under mounting pressure to resign.

Speaking in a television address, the general said: “I announce on their (the unit) behalf our peaceful support and solidarity with the youths’ revolution and we support their demands. We will carry on with our duties in maintaining security and stability in the capital.

“Yemen today faces a serious crisis … as a result of unconstitutional and illegal practices by the authorities.

“Repressing peaceful demonstrators in public areas around the country has led to a cycle of crises which is getting more complicated and pushing the country toward civil war.”

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The general is believed to have the backing of the president’s tribe who have already voiced that they know longer support the Yemeni leader.

Channel 4 News spoke to Hakim Almasmari, editor-in-chief of the Yemen Post, who gave an update of what was going on in the capital. According to Mr Almasmari as much as 90 percent of the military have joined the revolution saying: “They will be loyal to the security of the protesters.”

He predicted that President Saleh would stand down by Tuesday, at the latest. “Things have gathered pace since General Ali Mohsin al-Ahmar joined the revolution,” Mr Almasmari said. “18 of the biggest commanders are joing the revolution… the military have made it clear that a national emergency Government will be announced.

“The military are now in command, they are in control, in command of the capital.”

Thousands of people are camped in the capital of Sanaa at Taghyeer Square. They are demanding an end to the President’s 32-year reign. The British Ambassador for Yemen has joined colleagues to the UN, Syria, Jordan and Oman in quitting their position after the sniper killings of a reported 52 protesters on Friday.

We say this to Yemen, where the situation is worsening. We estimate today that the departure of President (Ali Abdullah) Saleh is unavoidable Alain Juppe, French Foreign Minister

The marksmen were allegedly dressed in civilian clothes in what is being called “a massacre”. Protests have gathered pace in cities across the country since Friday in other cities with the AFP news agency reporting that 20 further deaths have occured during fighting between Shia rebels and military troops in the north of the country.

Calls have come from the international community for President Saleh to put into action calls for him to resign. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Monday: “We say this to Yemen, where the situation is worsening. We estimate today that the departure of President (Ali Abdullah) Saleh is unavoidable.”

Despite the diplomatic and military defections and widespread support for regime change in the country, President Ali Abdullah Saleh is determined to hold out.

Yemen’s National Defence Council, comprised of military command and the president, are confident of the full support of military command: “The armed forces will not hesitate in carrying out their duties … and standing in the face of any coup plans against constitutional legitimacy.”