U.S. Calls for “Immediate” Transition in Yemen

Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman met with Yemeni Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi yesterday, reiterating U.S. support for the GCC agreement, and emphasizing that “an immediate, peaceful, and orderly transition is in the best interest of the Yemeni people.” Feltman is also traveling to Saudi Arabia to discuss developments in Yemen. In regards to speculation on President Ali Abdullah Saleh‘s return, State Department Spokesperson Mark Toner said yesterday “what’s important here is not whether he comes or stays or goes or – but it’s that Yemen move forward and Acting President Hadi move forward in implementing the GCC agreement.” Officials from the ruling General People’s Congress continue to insist that Saleh’s return is imminent, while Reuters reports an unidentified Western diplomat asserting that Saleh is “not coming (home) soon.” On Saleh’s decision to return or not, Feltman said, “it is a Yemeni decision, not an American decision.”

Military leader turned opposition supporter Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsin al-Ahmar insisted that the opposition will be a dependable ally of the U.S. in combating terrorism, and once in power it will “deal with terrorism as a critical issue.” Dozens of inmates feared to be affiliated with al-Qaeda reportedly escaped from a prison in southern Yemen yesterday. Toner said that the U.S. has received “conflicting reports” on the details of the escape and the number of inmates involved. Daniel Green argues that the prison break demonstrates the significance of the countryside as the main battleground with al-Qaeda, and he provides recommendations for U.S. strategy in the provinces.