US urges new Yemen government to show restraint

(AFP) 13 December 2011
WASHINGTON — The United States Tuesday welcomed Yemen’s new national unity government and called on all parties in the Arabian peninsula state to refrain from violence as a peace accord is implemented.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the Gulf-sponsored deal to resolve Yemen’s political crisis “marks another significant step forward as the government and the opposition continue to enact a peaceful and orderly transition of power in Yemen, leading to presidential elections set to take place on February 21.”
As the parties work to implement the political agreement, “we strongly encourage all sides to refrain from violence and to work together in good faith and with transparency,” she added.
Yemen’s national unity government, headed by the opposition, was sworn in Saturday to lead a three-month transition period until early polls are held and President Ali Abdullah Saleh formally steps down.
The deal came after 10 months of nationwide protests demanding an end to Saleh’s 33-year rule that culminated last month in his signing of the deal to leave power.
The new 34-member cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa, will carry out its duties until the February elections.
Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi will then take over the presidency for an interim two-year period as stipulated by the deal.