Bulgaria Condemns Yemen President's 'Irresponsible' Conduct

A handout photo released by the Yemeni Presidency Office on 25 September 2011 shows Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh delivering a speech in Sana’a, Yemen, on 25 September 2011. EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry is gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Yemen, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vesela Cherneva said in a statement.

"Bulgaria is following with concern the escalation of violence in Yemen. Security in the country has come under threat after authorities last week embarked on the indiscriminate use of weapons," the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry declared Monday.

Sofia is worried that the prevailing atmosphere of repression and violence will make it impossible to reach consensus on ending the crisis in Yemen and on the future democratic development of the country.

The unrest in the Arab country has claimed more than 650 lives since it started in February 2011 with demands for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power since 1978.

At a time when continued efforts could make it possible to reach agreement on a plan for a genuine political transition, a return to confrontation is a particularly dangerous and frustrating twist, according to the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

"We cannot accept the conduct of the President, Mr Ali Abdullah Saleh, as responsible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria fully supports the initiative by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and appeals to the President and all responsible political leaders to immediately stop the bloodshed in the streets and to resume political dialogue," FM spokesperson Vesela Cherneva said Monday.

Bulgaria's government further urged the Yemeni President "to fulfill his promise to relinquish power and to sign the agreement based on the GCC plan."

This alone will put an end to confrontation and will make it possible to deal with the severe economic and humanitarian challenges facing Yemeni society, Sofia says.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh called on Sunday, September 25, for early presidential and parliamentary elections that would lead to a peaceful transfer of power in the country. He also renewed his commitment to a Gulf-brokered deal aimed at ending the unrest.

The Gulf power transfer deal would see Saleh transfer power to vice president Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi within 30 days in exchange for a promise of immunity from prosecution.

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