A deal to transfer power peacefully in Yemen could emerge shortly based on an offer by President Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit by the end of the year, Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi told Reuters. But Al Arabiya television later quoted Saleh as saying that while he was prepared to step down "with respect" even within hours in response to relentless popular unrest, a deal did not appear imminent since his opponents had hardened their demands.
Yemen, a poor and tribally divided country that has become a base for al Qaeda next to the world's top oil producer Saudi Arabia, has been in upheaval since January when the example of the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions set off popular demonstrations to end Saleh's 32-year authoritarian rule. "I hope it (agreement) will be today, before tomorrow," Qirbi told Reuters in an interview, adding that the time frame of a transfer of power could be negotiated.
Saleh, who oversaw the 1990 unification of north and south Yemen and emerged victorious from a civil war four years later, told tribes in Sanaa on Saturday that he would "work to avoid bloodshed using all possible means". "We are exerting all efforts for dialogue and we hope wise people will respond to this call for dialogue to preserve the country and its stability and unity," he told the gathering.
He said on Friday he was ready to cede power to forestall more bloodshed but only to what he called "safe hands". "President Saleh is willing to look at all possibilities, as long as there are really serious commitments by the JMP (opposition) to come and initiate a serious dialogue between them and the ruling party," Qirbi said. But an opposition leader cast doubt on prospects for a swift accord and a Sanaa diplomat cautioned it was too soon to discuss an outcome, saying it could "go either way".
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