Yemeni Government Refuses an Offer by Arab Gulf States

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a, Apr 7, 2011- Yemeni government refused an offer by Arab Gulf states to mediate between President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the opposition coalition, the Joint Meeting Parties, JMP, who demanded President Saleh to step down.

Informed sources said that Yemen's government described the proposal as unconstitutional.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC invited Saleh and the opposition to a mediation session in Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, Yemeni opposition coalition, JMP, welcomed the offer by the Arab Gulf states.

The Yemen's refusal came amid the escalation of the antigovernment protests in Yemen and the continuous deadly crackdown on the protests, mainly in Taiz, Hodeida and Sana’a.