As 2010 starts, Saleh hopes ‘a new leaf’ turned over in Yemen

SANA’A, Jan. 01 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh hoped on Friday the new year to be the year of tolerance in which Yemen turns over a new leaf, urging the Houthi insurgents, separation seekers, misled Jihadist militants and the opposition, all political and social forces to make up their minds and put the interest of their country above all other interests. In an article on the New Year published in the state-run Al-Thawra Daily, Saleh called on the rebels, who have been in a sporadic war with the army since 2004, to stick to the ceasefire conditions the government announced months ago. Yemen announced in August six conditions for a ceasefire between the army and the Houthi rebels that included a rebel withdrawal from all districts of Saada and avoiding interference in the local authorities’ responsibilities, the removal of all checkpoints hindering citizens’ movement, and the clarification of the fate of kidnapped foreigners, returning military and public looted properties, releasing arrested soldiers and civilians, sticking to the rule of law and constitution, commitment not to attack Saudi lands and handing arms.Once the rebels accept the peace call, then the state stretches its hand to peace, Saleh assured. Saleh also urged the subversives in the south and misled terrorists across the republic to abandon violence and spreading the culture of hatred among the people in the country and come back to the right track to contribute to building their country. Separation bids are not in the best interest of the united Yemen, however, they are roadblocks to development and are deemed as a stain on Yemen’s image, he said. Moreover, he called on all Yemeni political and social forces to put the interest of the country ahead of other interests and come together through the previously called national dialog to address crucial issues and answer the questions of the public. The dialog called by President Saleh early last month was due to take place on December 26, but it was delayed until January 4. FRSaba