Yemen's Opposition Rejects President's Calls for Unity Govt

Yemeni anti-government protesters hold a placard up as they shout slogans during a demonstration in Sana’a, Yemen, on 28 February 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Yemen's opposition coalition has rejected calls from President Ali Abdullah Saleh for a national unity government and has advised him to step down, as demanded by protesters.

The opposition has also called for a "Day of Rage" on Tuesday to mark the death of at least 15 demonstrators who killed in the protests this month, calling for an end to the 30-year rule of Saleh, Bloomberg reported.

"We will not join a national unity government and we support demands of the people who went to the streets to demand the president leave. He should respond to the demands of the people and leave power peacefully," said Mohammed al-Qubati, spokesman for the Joint Meetings Parties, a coalition of six opposition groups.

On February 2, Saleh called for the formation of a national unity government and said he will not submit his candidature for extension of his term, which expires in 2013.

According to a statement from Yemeni MPs issued Monday, 13 opposition lawmakers resigned from the parliament to protest against the violent attacks on protesters and to asl for the release of political prisoners.

Eleven MPs from Yemen's ruling General People's Congress have resigned since the protests began.

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