Saleh: elections will be held in free and fair climates

SANA’A,Jan.26(Saba)-President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed on Wednesday that the upcoming parliamentary elections would be made in free, fair and transparent climates. This came during his meeting with with Director of the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI)’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Leslie Campbell, who is currently visiting Yemen. At the meeting, Saleh and Campbell discussed areas of cooperation between Yemen and the institute and the institute’s support to the democracy in Yemen. The talks also dealt with issues and political developments that the institute is interested in and the ongoing preparations for holding the upcoming parliamentary elections on schedule, as well as the support can be provided by the NDI for the elections in Yemen. Saleh hailed the institute’s efforts and its role in supporting the pluralistic democratic approach in Yemen, stressing the importance of holding the parliamentary elections on schedule. He welcomed the existence of local and international supervision on the elections. For his part, Campbell noted to the democratic approach in Yemen and the importance of holding the elections as a means to promote democracy. He confirmed the institute’s support for the democracy in Yemen, as a pioneering experience in the region. BA Saba