Gulf states call for Yemen power transfer, transition

RIYADH, April 10

RIYADH, April 10 (Reuters) - Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh should hand over power to his vice president and allow the opposition to lead a transitional government, Gulf Arab countries said on Sunday.

Saleh's government and the opposition will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Yemen's "unity, security and stability", foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said in a statement after talks in the Saudi capital.

The Gulf-sponsored meeting would be based on principles which included "the president announces the transfer of his powers to the vice president", they said, adding that an opposition-led transitional government would prepare for constitutional reforms and new elections.