U.N. Envoy in Yemen: “A Compromise Is Possible”

Jamal Benomar, U.N. envoy to Yemen, stated that a compromise between the Saleh’s regime and the opposition is possible, despite outstanding issues. “If there is political will, a compromise is possible” said Benomar, who returned to Sana’a on November 10 to mediate the conflict. Benomar said: “A lot has been achieved. There is an agreement on the organisation and the management of the transition period,” adding that “differences remain over the beginning of the transition — mainly one the powers of the vice president and the status of president Saleh.” He also called on Saleh to hasten the pace of reform. According to Yemen’s state-run news agency, Saleh demanded that a “practical mechanism and timetable should be reached and signed before the signing of the GCC initiative.” U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark C. Toner suggested that the U.S. “believe[s] that [Saleh] should sign the agreement…which will allow a transition to take place. And that’s the best way to end the violence in Yemen.”

Meanwhile, Yemeni protesters gathered in Sana’a calling for the Arab League to suspend Yemen’s membership as it did for Syria last week. Demonstrators marched from Change Square, chanting ”Arab League, we demand the freezing of (Yemeni) membership.” Hamza Hendawi contends that “Change Square has become a melting pot, drawing a rich diversity from across Yemen and bringing together slices of society that otherwise rarely mingle,” and may become a site for the “genesis of a new Yemen.” Joeseph A. Kechichian describes Saleh’s efforts to consolidate power in the past decade, and asserts that “Yemenis are itching to turn the Saleh page.”