ID :
160380
Fri, 02/11/2011 - 16:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/160380
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No chance of Tunisian or Egyptian-style protests, says Yemen official
SANA'A, Feb. 11 (Saba)- Yemen does not risk popular uprisings such as those in other Arab states like Tunisia and Egypt, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi has said during his visit to Rome, Italy.
Al-Qirbi held talks with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, briefing him on the parliamentary elections which were initially planned for April, but postponed to allow negotiations with opposition forces.
"The Yemeni government has for many years maintained a constant dialogue with opposition forces with the aim reforming the constitution and the electoral law," al-Qirbi said.
He also ruled out the possibility that Yemen could experience a secession similar to that in Sudan where the country's southern regions have voted in favour of independence in the recent referendum.
"In Yemen we do not have different ethnicities but instead we live in a country united by a common culture and language," al-Qirbi said.
On Saturday the US embassy in Yemen called on opposition parties to "avoid provocative actions" and respond constructively to promises by President Ali Abdullah Saleh to carry out political reforms.
In a parliamentary speech, President Saleh has said he would not seek another term in office and promised to postpone parliamentary elections, scheduled for April, until talks with the opposition on reforms into the electoral system are concluded.
Al-Qirbi held talks with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, briefing him on the parliamentary elections which were initially planned for April, but postponed to allow negotiations with opposition forces.
"The Yemeni government has for many years maintained a constant dialogue with opposition forces with the aim reforming the constitution and the electoral law," al-Qirbi said.
He also ruled out the possibility that Yemen could experience a secession similar to that in Sudan where the country's southern regions have voted in favour of independence in the recent referendum.
"In Yemen we do not have different ethnicities but instead we live in a country united by a common culture and language," al-Qirbi said.
On Saturday the US embassy in Yemen called on opposition parties to "avoid provocative actions" and respond constructively to promises by President Ali Abdullah Saleh to carry out political reforms.
In a parliamentary speech, President Saleh has said he would not seek another term in office and promised to postpone parliamentary elections, scheduled for April, until talks with the opposition on reforms into the electoral system are concluded.
