As it considers President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s request of guarantees a sham, opposition calls on the United Nations to forces the embattled leader to step down unconditionally.

As it considers President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s request of guarantees a sham, opposition calls on the United Nations to forces the embattled leader to step down unconditionally.

"It is clear he absolutely refuses to resign and hand power to his vice president," Mohammed Qahtan, the spokesman for the opposition coalition Common Forum told AFP news agency.
"Unfortunately, his statements are in effect a declaration of war," he added saying that Saleh’s announcement was a sham.

Since nationwide protests against Saleh's 33-year rule erupted in January, the president has made repeated pledges to sign the deal mediated by his impoverished nation's wealthy Gulf neighbors only to backtrack.

Saleh's latest statement was yet another diversion, Qahtan said, noting that the Gulf Cooperation Council plan already included both an immunity clause for Saleh and his family, and a timetable for the transfer of power.

On Wednesday, Saleh announced his agreement to resign, calling on the United States, Europe and Gulf Arab states to give him unspecified guarantees.

"Now that the president has returned, they say there is no need for the vice president to sign. Fine, I am ready to sign," Saleh said in a broadcasted meeting with party leaders in the capital Sanaa on Wednesday.
"But provide guarantees to implement this initiative. We want Gulf guarantees, first, second, European guarantees and third American guarantees," he added.