Yemen close to transition of power

Saleh told tribes in Sanaa on Saturday that he would work to avoid bloodshed using all possible means

A deal on transition of power in Yemen could come as early as Saturday and would be based on an offer by Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down by year-end,Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi said.

Yemen,a poor and tribally divided country that has become an al-Qaeda base,has been in turmoil since January when the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions set off popular demonstrations to end Salehs 32-year authoritarian rule.

I hope it will be today,before tomorrow, Qirbi,caretaker foreign minister,told Reuters in an interview,adding that the time frame of a transfer of power by Saleh could be negotiated.

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Saleh told tribes in Sanaa on Saturday that he would work to avoid bloodshed using all possible means. He said on Friday he was ready to relinquish power to forestall more bloodshed but only to what he called safe hands after weeks of street demonstrations demanding his departure.

Saleh is willing to look at all possibilities,as long as there are serious commitments by the JMP (opposition) to come and initiate a dialogue between them and the ruling party, Qirbi said.

Qirbi said Yemens main opposition party would be holding talks with the ruling party on Saturday. I think things are very close if the real intention is really to reach an agreement. But if there are parties who want to obstruct it then of course one cannot predict.