Yemen leader proposes drawing up new constitution

Sana'a- Mar 10, 2011- Yemen's embattled president is proposing the drawing up of a new constitution, the latest overture to the opposition as anti-government protests escalate across this impoverished Arabian Peninsula country.

Ali Abdullah Saleh says the new constitution would guarantee the separation of legislative and executive powers and prepare for the holding of new general elections that would assure an effective parliamentary rule.

Saleh spoke on Thursday to thousands of supporters gathered at a football stadium in the capital Sana'a.

Opposition leader Yassin Said Numan says Saleh's initiative comes too late although opposition parties would study the offer.

Yemen has been rocked by weeks of protests against Saleh, a key U.S. ally in the campaign against al-Qaida who has been in power 32 years.