US asks Saleh to initiate a full transfer of power

Washington: Deeply concerned over the current situation in Yemen, the US on Sunday asked President Ali Abdullah Saleh to begin a "full transfer of power" immediately after a week of unrest claimed nearly 200 lives in the country.

"We again urge President Saleh to initiate a full transfer of power without delay and arrange for presidential elections to be held before the end of the year within the framework of the GCC initiative," the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

The Yemeni people have suffered enough and deserve a path toward a unified, stable, secure, and democratic Yemen, she said in a statement noting that the US will continue to work with the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) and others in the international community to support Yemeni people's aspirations.

GCC include Bahrain, Kuwait, Quatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Expressing sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones as a result of recent violence, Nuland asked all parties to cease violence and exercise maximum restraint.

"We support the GCC's call for the formation of a committee to investigate events that resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians," she said, adding that too many Yemenis have lost their lives and each day that passes without a peaceful and orderly transition is another day that the Yemeni people are forced to live in an unstable environment that threatens their security and livelihood.

She expressed "deep concern" over the violence wracking the Gulf nation.

"The Yemeni government must immediately address the democratic aspirations of its people. The Yemeni people have made clear their desire for a peaceful and orderly transition that is responsive to their calls for peace, reconciliation, prosperity, and security," Nuland said.

Dozens of people were killed during clashes in the Yemeni capital on Saturday, a day after Saleh returned following three months away saying he was "carrying the dove of peace."

According media reports, nearly 200 people have been killed in the violents clashes over the past week.