WASHINGTON – The White House urged Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday to sign and implement a transition of power deal so that the country could “move forward immediately” with political reform.
John Brennan, an adviser to US president Barack Obama, called Mr Saleh earlier in the day, the White House said. “Brennan noted that this transfer of power represents the best path forward for Yemen to become more secure . . . and for the Yemeni people to realize their aspirations for peace and political reform,” the White House statement indicated.
Mr Brennan also reiterated that all parties in Yemen, a key US ally in the fight against al-Qaeda, should refrain from violence”. – (Reuters)