Embattled Yemen president offered 'smooth exit'

Yemen's opposition and clerics have offered President Ali Abdullah Saleh a smooth exit from power this year, but protesters staged new demonstrations Thursday to demand his immediate ouster. The proposal calls for a "peaceful transition of power" from Saleh, insists two-week-old demonstrations against his regime will go on, and demands a probe into a deadly crackdown on the protests.
"We've agreed on a settlement proposal including a roadmap for the president's departure before the end of this year," said opposition parliamentary spokesman Mohammed al-Sabri. The five-point plan calls for Saleh to step down by the end of 2011, according to Sabri, was yet to receive a response from the veteran leader.