Saleh presides over joint meeting of Cabinet and ruling party committee

SANA’A, Feb 12 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh headed on Saturday the joint meeting of the Council of Ministers and the general committee of the General People’s Congress that discussed issues topped by local and regional developments. There was a special focus on political, economic and security developments in the country as well as outcomes of the last meeting that gathered officials from the National Defense Council and the Supreme Security Committee. On Friday, the expanded meeting of military and security officials dealt with steps to improve the conditions of the state and armed forces employees’ conditions including pay rise and giving premiums within the implementation of the third phase of the wages strategy. Today’s meeting stressed giving priority to the development of local and central resources and including this crucial topic within the monthly agenda of the supreme economic council. Furthermore, it dealt with the stance of the Joint Meeting Parties, the opposition, over the recent initiations of President Saleh that included his promise not to run for president after his term expires in 2013 and meeting other demands sought by the JMP such as resuming national dialogue. It called on the JMP to determine its position and respond positively to Saleh’s initiations which drew huge local and international welcome, urging to avoid postponing reaction to the initiations and to put the country’s interest above anything else. All concerned forces should bear sense of responsibility towards their country and work together to tackle chaos and issues that may lead to unacceptable consequences, the meeting urged, praising the awareness of the Yemeni people about facing destructive calls and wrong mobilization. At the meeting, President Saleh briefed the attendants on the details of the phone conversation he had held with chief of Egypt’s Supreme Military Council which is in charge of running the country’s affairs after the resignation of President Mubarak.FRSaba