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Yemen: Political talks open as Saleh recovers in Riyadh Yemen: Political talks open as Saleh recovers in Riyadh
(about 2 hours later)
Yemen's ruling party has opened talks with the country's main opposition coalition following the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.Yemen's ruling party has opened talks with the country's main opposition coalition following the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.
Protesters have called on the acting president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, to form a presidential council to seek a solution to the crisis in country. Protesters have called on Vice-President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to form a presidential council to seek a solution to the crisis in the country.
Violence has erupted recently following months of protest against Mr Saleh.Violence has erupted recently following months of protest against Mr Saleh.
He was severely wounded in an attack on his compound on Friday. He was severely wounded in a rocket attack on his Sanaa compound on Friday.
Official sources told the BBC the talks in Sanaa between the ruling General People's Congress (GPC) and the opposition coalition, the Joint Meeting Party (JMP) are the first of its kind. Official sources told the BBC that the talks in the capital, between the ruling General People's Congress (GPC) and the opposition Joint Meeting Party (JMP), were the first of its kind.
The JMP includes the main Islamist Islah party, socialists, Nasserists and some newer independent parties. The JMP includes the Islamist Islah party, socialists, Nasserists and some newer independent parties.
The talks aim to find ways to reach a political solution, but details of the expected duration or specific areas of negotiation remain unclear, says the BBC's Lina Sinjab in Sanaa.The talks aim to find ways to reach a political solution, but details of the expected duration or specific areas of negotiation remain unclear, says the BBC's Lina Sinjab in Sanaa.
The move comes as thousands of Yemenis hold rallies outside the residence of the acting leader, Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, demanding the formation of a transitional national council. The move comes as thousands of Yemenis hold rallies outside the residence of Vice-President Hadi, Yemen's acting leader, demanding the formation of a transitional national council.
On Wednesday, Yemeni forces backed by armoured vehicles dispersed a crowd that had gathered just metres from Mr Hadi's home, says BBC Arabic correspondent Abdallah Ghorab in Sanaa. On Wednesday, government forces backed by armoured vehicles dispersed a crowd that had gathered just metres from Mr Hadi's home, says BBC Arabic's Abdallah Ghorab in Sanaa.
Eyewitnesses said soldiers beat up and arrested a number of protesters, and dismantled the tents they had erected on Tuesday. Witnesses said soldiers had beaten up and arrested a number of protesters, and dismantled tents erected there on Tuesday.
Injured leaderInjured leader
Meanwhile, sources close to the president say Mr Saleh may need months to recover from the burns that reportedly cover 40% of his body.Meanwhile, sources close to the president say Mr Saleh may need months to recover from the burns that reportedly cover 40% of his body.
The 69-year-old was flown to the Saudi capital Riyadh for medical treatment, following a rocket attack on his presidential palace on Friday, which killed seven people and wounded senior officials in what officials said was an assassination attempt. The 69-year-old was flown to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, for medical treatment following a rocket attack on a mosque inside the presidential compound on Friday afternoon. The attack killed seven people and wounded senior officials in what officials said was an assassination attempt.
Aides accompanying Mr Saleh to Riyadh say he is recovering well and is in good spirits, but unable to move about. The government had earlier announced he would return within a week. Aides accompanying Mr Saleh to Riyadh said he was recovering well and was in good spirits, but unable to move about. The government had earlier announced he would return within a week.
Correspondents say life is returning to normal on the streets of Sanaa, as a ceasefire was holding between government forces loyal to Mr Saleh and tribesman of Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar of the powerful Hashid tribe. Correspondents say life is returning to normal on the streets of Sanaa, as a ceasefire was holding between government forces loyal to Mr Saleh and tribesman of Sheikh Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribal confederation.
More than 200 people were killed and thousands forced to flee in two weeks of fighting. More than 200 people were killed and thousands forced to flee the capital in two weeks of fighting that brought the country to the brink of civil war.
Mr Saleh, who has ruled since 1978, has refused to leave office despite protests and a tribal uprising which has brought the country to the brink of civil war and resulted in more than 350 deaths. Mr Saleh, who has been in power since 1978, has refused to step down immediately despite months of anti-government demonstrations, and clashes between security forces and protesters that have left more than 350 people dead.
Despite repeated promises to do so, he has refused to accept a transition plan brokered by the Saudi-led Gulf Co-Operation Council. Despite repeated promises to do so, he has refused to accept a transition plan brokered by the Gulf Co-Operation Council (GCC) that would see him hand over power to Mr Hadi after one month in return for immunity from prosecution.
US officials are keen for Mr Saleh not to return to Yemen. Along with other Western powers, it fears the crisis enveloping the country might make it easier for the powerful Yemen-based wing of al-Qaeda to strengthen. US officials are keen for Mr Saleh not to return to Yemen. Along with other Western powers, it fears the crisis enveloping the country might make it easier for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an active offshoot of the militant network, to operate.
On Tuesday, the army said it had killed dozens of Islamist militants including a local al-Qaeda leader in the southern town of Zinjibar, capital of the flashpoint Abyan province. On Tuesday, the army said it had killed dozens of Islamist militants, including an AQAP leader, in the southern coastal town of Zinjibar.
A local official said 15 soldiers had been killed in the battles for control of the town seized by militants some 10 days ago.A local official said 15 soldiers had been killed in the battles for control of the town seized by militants some 10 days ago.
On a visit to Egypt on Wednesday, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said he was relieved that relative calm had returned to Sanaa.
"I would certainly urge leaders from every side of this challenge to be calm and try to resolve the issues peacefully," Adm Mike Mullen said.
But he added that he remained concerned that the situation was allowing AQAP - blamed for two recent attempted attacks on the US - to thrive.
"In that regard, just as to the al-Qaeda piece of it, it is incredibly dangerous and made that much more dangerous in the ongoing chaos," he said.
Are you in Yemen? What is the situation like where you are? Are you planning to leave? You can send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Yemen? What is the situation like where you are? Are you planning to leave? You can send us your comments using the form below.
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