Toppling Gaddafi influences Yemeni tension inevitably

by Fuad Rajeh, Wang Qiuyun

SANAA, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Although the Yemeni government insists there should not be comparison between Libya and Yemen, observers here argue that any success of rebels in the region must have influence on others.

Abdul Janadi, deputy information minister, said on Thursday the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi was ousted under an international resolution while Yemen is experiencing a political crisis.

"The international community realizes that what is happening in Yemen is nothing but a political crisis and is now pushing the Yemeni parties to hold dialogue to solve this crisis. Absolutely, it makes the difference between our country and Libya clear," he added.

Likening the African country's status to that of the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein several years ago, he said Libya has been attacked from inside and outside its territory, noting that "without international support, the Libyan rebels would not be able to make any advance or carry out armed actions to overthrow the regime."

However, observers said the success of toppling Gaddafi has influenced the Yemeni people even if Yemen is not like Libya.

"The Arab regimes have many in common, which means that the downfall of anyone of them must influence the others through putting further pressure on them," said political analyst Abdul Ghani al-Mawer.

When the Libyan rebel fighters entered Tripoli days ago, the Yemeni people, especially the anti-government protesters who have been conducting seven-month street sit-ins to call for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, held demonstrations to show their support to their brothers in Libya and urged an immediate end of Saleh's rule in their country.

"Doubtless, any anti-government process in the region can influence other people, including those in kingdoms such as Jordan and Morocco where the regimes were forced to implement political reforms in the aftermath of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, " said Fuad al-Salahi, a political sociology professor at Sanaa University.

He said the victory of the Libyan fighters has boosted the morale of the Yemeni people and that the youth in the region have been exchanging thoughts since the Arab unrest started.

The Yemeni opposition coalition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) announced on Aug. 17 the formation of a "National Council for Peaceful Revolution Forces," which drew on the experience of Libya 's National Transitional Council (NTC), in order to unite different forces across the country to oust President Saleh. However, the council faced split as 23 southern leaders who were elected as members of "National Council" declared withdrawal from it three days later.

Al-Salahi said the Yemeni people should learn from the Libyan transitional council, which has proved its success through its members accepted by all the Libyan people, and other countries to move from one step to another skillfully.

"The national council of the Yemeni opposition was a necessity to unite the anti-Saleh political forces, although the Libyan council is better," said al-Salahi.