Yemen's Saleh Tells Protesters to Seek Change Through Ballot Box

Yemen's Saleh Tells Protesters to Seek Change Through Ballot Box

Photo: AP

President Ali Abdullah Saleh speaks during a media conference in Sanaa, Yemen, February 21, 2011

Yemen's long-serving president has responded to more than a week of anti-government protests by saying his opponents should resort to the ballot box to bring about change.

In a news conference Monday, Ali Abdullah Saleh accused Yemen's opposition of making unacceptable demands for his resignation. He insisted on remaining in office until his seven-year term expires in 2013. Mr. Saleh has been in power since 1978.

Hundreds of Yemeni opposition activists gathered in a Sana'a square Monday, calling for Mr. Saleh's ouster and democratic reforms. The mostly student protesters have been chanting the same demands in the capital on a daily basis since February 11, when an Egyptian uprising forced that nation's autocratic president to step down.

Anti-Saleh demonstrators also have rallied in the southern cities of Taiz and Aden in recent days. Medics say police shot dead a protester in Aden on Monday.

Opposition activists in the south and the capital have come under frequent attack by Yemeni security forces and armed supporters of Mr. Saleh. The violence has killed at least 11 people since the protests began.

President Saleh has repeatedly offered to hold talks with his opponents to resolve the unrest. But, a coalition of Yemeni opposition parties said Sunday there can be no such dialogue while the government, in its words, uses bullets, batons and thugs to terrorize the Yemeni people.