Pro-government rallies support Saleh’s initiative, refuse violence

SANA’A, March 18 (Saba) – A number of Yemen’s governorates has witnessed mass rallies supporting President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s initiative announced in a national conference held in Sana’a last week. In Mukalla of Hadramout governorate, a mass rally was held on Thursday supporting the President’s initiative and refusing all acts of violence and sabotage. A number of clerics, social figures and civil society organizations in the governorate participated in the rally that was held under the slogan “Yes for security and stability- Yes for dialogue”. The participants in the rally held up posters of President Saleh and banners, confirming their support for the political leadership and their commitment to a democratic approach adopted in the country. In his speech, Hadramout governor Kahled Saeed al-Deni pointed out that the President’s initiative had contained political and democratic reforms which meet demands of the opposition parties and other political forces in the country, calling on all political parties, civil society organizations to launch a comprehensive dialogue to come out the country from chaos and sedition and protect the country’s unity, security and stability. Other speeches condemned all attempts to spread chaos and disturb the peace of the community, demanding the leaders of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) to choose the dialogue rather than violence and protests. Meanwhile, in Jahanah district of Sana’a governorate, anther rally was held for supporting Saleh’s initiative and refusing all acts of violence and sabotage. In addition, hundreds of thousands of government supporters in al-Shaer district of Ibb governorate took to the street to express their support for the President’s initiative on national dialogue. President Saleh announced last week his initiative includes forming a committee the parliament and the Shura Council, including social figures, to draw up a new constitution – to be completed by the end of 2011 – to separate authorities and switching into a parliamentary system, in which all executive powers are given to an elected government that will come through the parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in late 2011-early 2012. All powers will be given to the government. HA/YA Saba