U.S. urges Yemen president to sign transition deal

WASHINGTON May 18 (Reuters) - The White House urged Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Wednesday to sign and implement a transition of power deal so that the country could "move forward immediately" with political reform.

John Brennan, an adviser to President Barack Obama, called Saleh earlier in the day, the White House said in a statement.

"Brennan noted that this transfer of power represents the best path forward for Yemen to become a more secure, unified, and prosperous nation and for the Yemeni people to realize their aspirations for peace and political reform," the statement said.

Brennan also reiterated that all parties in Yemen, a key U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda, should "refrain from violence and proceed with the transition in a peaceful and orderly manner."