SANA'A: Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh again refused to sign a transition of power deal Sunday, saying it would push the country towards civil war. The embattled president resisted intense US and Arab pressure and stalled at signing the deal calling for him to step down in 30 days, as his regime brought armed supporters into the streets demanding he stay. Hundreds of militiamen trapped the American and other ambassadors inside a diplomatic mission for hours. The militiamen, armed with knives and swords, blocked the entrances to the United Arab Emirates Embassy, where at least five US, European and Arab ambassadors had gathered, expecting President Saleh to arrive to sign the agreement. Finally in the evening, Yemeni military helicopters landed at the embassy and ferried the diplomats out, taking them to the presidential palace. There they witnessed several Yemeni ruling party officials sign the accord. But Saleh, shown on state TV standing alongside the US ambassador, did not sign. Saleh said afterward he would not do so unless opposition leaders attend and sign it as well in public, not “behind closed doors.” “If they don't comply, they are dragging us to a civil war, and they will have to hold responsibility for the bloodshed in the past and the blood which will be spilled later on because of their stupidity,” Saleh warned in an address on state TV. The developments threatened to wreck a US-backed, Gulf Arab-mediated accord that diplomats hope could resolve the turmoil that has raged in Yemen for the past three months, with tens of thousands of protesters demanding Saleh step down after 32 years in power, and his regime unleashing a deadly crackdown. The accord calls for Saleh to step down in 30 days and hand power to his vice president, in return for immunity from prosecution. A coalition of opposition parties signed the agreement in private Saturday, and Saleh promised to sign it the following day. Saleh has backed away from signing the deal at least twice before, adding to the opposition's deep mistrust of a leader known for adept political maneuvering that has kept him in power for decades. Throughout the day Sunday, hundreds of armed Saleh loyalists deployed in the streets of Sana'a in what appeared to be a campaign orchestrated by his own regime, aiming to show that the public wants him to stay. Dozens gathered in front of the Police Academy, where the ruling party general assembly had convened to discuss the deal. “We are coming under pressure, to reject the initiative,” said Mohammed Saad, a member of the assembly. Others erected a big tent in one of Sana'a's main streets, blocking traffic and raising banners that read: “Don't go, don't sign!” Another armed crowd blocked the road in front of the presidential palace, chanting, “We will not permit the president's ouster.” The diciest moment came when hundreds of Saleh loyalists, touting swords and knives, massed outside the UAE Embassy. They blocked its two main entrances, and at one point attacked a convoy bringing the GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani, to the building. They pounded on the car, tried to prevent it from entering the compound and shouted against Gulf intervention in Yemeni affairs, witnesses said. On Saturday – even as he grudgingly promised to sign – Saleh condemned the proposed deal as “a coup” and warned the US and Europe that his departure would open the door for Al-Qaeda to seize control of the country. His stalling on signing could throw Yemen deeper into turmoil. Saleh has managed to cling to power despite daily protests by tens of thousands of Yemenis fed up with corruption and poverty.
