At least three people have died and hundreds were injured today in clashes in Sana'a and Taiz between supporters and opponents of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose position remains unyielding, denying his departure from the presidency and the opposition calling to sit at a negotiating table.
"We repeat our invitation to sit at a negotiating table and call them to contain the violence," President Saleh said in a speech in response to the proposed mediation by the Gulf Cooperation Council, which has been running for to an interlocutor between the two parties. The opposition has reiterated that the only solution to the political crisis is the departure of President Saleh.
The position of dialogue proposed by Saleh collides with another day of violence and repression that the country has experienced. The most serious incidents took place in the capital Sanaa. Several witnesses quoted by Reuters have told members of the tribe as shabu, to which he belongs Saleh, accompanied by armed bodyguards tried to access the Plaza Al Tagir ("change" in Arabic), where thousands of protesters to mediate between the regime and the opposition.
As they approached one of the entrances to the plaza, controlled by military supporters of the brother of Saleh Ali Mohsen, who joined the ranks of the opposition two weeks ago, there was a shootout between soldiers and bodyguards. The number of deaths must be added the 115 wounded have been recorded only in the capital.
The other scene of brutal repression has been the city of Taiz, south of Sanaa, where yesterday 17 people were shot dead by security forces. Hundreds of people have been injured in clashes throughout the morning, as. Hundreds of security forces have attacked tens of thousands of protesters, while armed men, according to witnesses quoted by Efe, plainclothes police officers would have helped to suppress the protests with clubs and daggers.
The protesters, demanding the resignation of the Yemeni president, who has 32 years in power, have responded by throwing stones at security forces. EU Condemns the repression since January 27, Yemen recorded demonstrations against Sale, who have gained strength from mid-February. Given the escalating violence in Yemen, today the European Union has urged President Saleh to end violence against protesters and immediately start the process of transition to democratic rule.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, said in a statement expressed its "deep concern" over the violent suppression of protests in major cities in recent days. "Contrary to previous commitments made, is not guaranteeing freedom of expression and security of peaceful demonstrators," he complained Ashton.
The high representative has explained that last week he spoke personally with the Yemeni president, who claimed to fulfill these commitments and to order the forces responsible for "the immediate cessation of violence." Ashton, who has asked the Yemeni government and security forces respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, has been also concerned about "the deteriorating security and economic situation." "I reiterate my call to the start of an orderly political transition to resolve the current crisis and prepare the way for reforms," said the high representative. 
"We repeat our invitation to sit at a negotiating table and call them to contain the violence," President Saleh said in a speech in response to the proposed mediation by the Gulf Cooperation Council, which has been running for to an interlocutor between the two parties. The opposition has reiterated that the only solution to the political crisis is the departure of President Saleh.
The position of dialogue proposed by Saleh collides with another day of violence and repression that the country has experienced. The most serious incidents took place in the capital Sanaa. Several witnesses quoted by Reuters have told members of the tribe as shabu, to which he belongs Saleh, accompanied by armed bodyguards tried to access the Plaza Al Tagir ("change" in Arabic), where thousands of protesters to mediate between the regime and the opposition.
As they approached one of the entrances to the plaza, controlled by military supporters of the brother of Saleh Ali Mohsen, who joined the ranks of the opposition two weeks ago, there was a shootout between soldiers and bodyguards. The number of deaths must be added the 115 wounded have been recorded only in the capital.
The other scene of brutal repression has been the city of Taiz, south of Sanaa, where yesterday 17 people were shot dead by security forces. Hundreds of people have been injured in clashes throughout the morning, as. Hundreds of security forces have attacked tens of thousands of protesters, while armed men, according to witnesses quoted by Efe, plainclothes police officers would have helped to suppress the protests with clubs and daggers.
The protesters, demanding the resignation of the Yemeni president, who has 32 years in power, have responded by throwing stones at security forces. EU Condemns the repression since January 27, Yemen recorded demonstrations against Sale, who have gained strength from mid-February. Given the escalating violence in Yemen, today the European Union has urged President Saleh to end violence against protesters and immediately start the process of transition to democratic rule.
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, said in a statement expressed its "deep concern" over the violent suppression of protests in major cities in recent days. "Contrary to previous commitments made, is not guaranteeing freedom of expression and security of peaceful demonstrators," he complained Ashton.
The high representative has explained that last week he spoke personally with the Yemeni president, who claimed to fulfill these commitments and to order the forces responsible for "the immediate cessation of violence." Ashton, who has asked the Yemeni government and security forces respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, has been also concerned about "the deteriorating security and economic situation." "I reiterate my call to the start of an orderly political transition to resolve the current crisis and prepare the way for reforms," said the high representative.
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