Yemen unrest: Doubts grow over power-transfer deal

Doubts over a deal to end Yemen's political crisis are growing, amid dramatic scenes in the capital, Sanaa.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh reportedly refused to sign the accord - brokered by Gulf nations - to resign within 30 days in exchange for immunity.

 

Many anti-government protesters want President Saleh to go immediately

Separately, tens of thousands of anti-Saleh protesters demonstrated in the city, calling on the president to leave immediately.

They have threatened to step up their campaign by marching on government buildings - a tactic that has led to bloodshed in recent months.
The opposition says more than 140 people have been killed by security forces and militiamen since the unrest began in January.
The deal calls for Mr Saleh to step down after 33 years in office and hand over power to a unity government within a month.
It also gives the president immunity from prosecution.
Last month he backed out of signing such a deal at the last minute.
The new agreement has been reached with amendments after intervention by US and European diplomats, officials say.
Many protesters - inspired by the successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt - say the accord does not go far enough, and are calling for Mr Saleh's immediate departure.

Separately, tens of thousands of anti-Saleh protesters demonstrated in the city, calling on the president to leave immediately.

They have threatened to step up their campaign by marching on government buildings - a tactic that has led to bloodshed in recent months.
The opposition says more than 140 people have been killed by security forces and militiamen since the unrest began in January.
The deal calls for Mr Saleh to step down after 33 years in office and hand over power to a unity government within a month.
It also gives the president immunity from prosecution.
Last month he backed out of signing such a deal at the last minute.
The new agreement has been reached with amendments after intervention by US and European diplomats, officials say.
Many protesters - inspired by the successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt - say the accord does not go far enough, and are calling for Mr Saleh's immediate departure.

The opposition approved the deal on Saturday.
Meanwhile, foreign diplomats had to be airlifted out of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Sanaa, which was besieged by Saleh supporters.
On Sunday, anti-government protesters again held mass rallies in the capital.
'Coup' Mr Saleh refused to sign the deal unless opposition representatives were present at the ceremony at his palace, reports say.
Yemen's state-run TV later showed leaders of Mr Saleh's ruling party signing the accord, the Associated Press news agency reports. But the president did not sign.
Earlier on Sunday, the US, European and Arab ambassadors remained trapped for hours in the UAE embassy in Sanaa.
They were eventually flown out by helicopters to the presidential palace.
In Sanaa, Mr Saleh's supporters rallied against the deal.
"We reject signing the Gulf initiative and the coup against his legitimacy," they shouted.

Separately, tens of thousands of anti-Saleh protesters demonstrated in the city, calling on the president to leave immediately.

They have threatened to step up their campaign by marching on government buildings - a tactic that has led to bloodshed in recent months.
The opposition says more than 140 people have been killed by security forces and militiamen since the unrest began in January.
The deal calls for Mr Saleh to step down after 33 years in office and hand over power to a unity government within a month.
It also gives the president immunity from prosecution.
Last month he backed out of signing such a deal at the last minute.
The new agreement has been reached with amendments after intervention by US and European diplomats, officials say.
Many protesters - inspired by the successful revolts in Tunisia and Egypt - say the accord does not go far enough, and are calling for Mr Saleh's immediate departure.