Protests continue as Yemen goes to Security Council

By Hakim Almasmari, CNN

Sanaa, Yemen (CNN) -- Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Sanaa on Wednesday, marching, chanting and calling for the United Nations to come out with a firm resolution in support for change in the country.

The protest came as the U.N. Security Council was discussing Yemen's political crisis.

Thousands of women carrying their children participated in the marches, which lasted more than four hours.

"We leave our houses today calling the world to help us. We have no jobs, no electricity, and no security, and that is why we are demanding change," said Fanda al-Sarari, a women protester in Sanaa.

Protesters raised banners calling on the world to stop supporting Yemen's president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The government is trying to come up with a solution to end the political stalemate. Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi met with Gulf Cooperation Council ambassadors in Yemen, reinforcing the president's stated desire to implement a peaceful transition of power in keeping with the Constitution.

"The ruling party is serious on finding a solution to the political crisis from its roots to ensure they don't erupt in the future," said Tareq Shami, the spokesman for the ruling party, the General People's Congress.

He commented on the party's power-transfer proposal, saying signing the proposal is not the primary goal, but rather ending the crisis on an agreed timetable.

Ali Jaradi, editor-in-chief of Ahale newspaper, said that opposition parties and youth movements will continue to push for more international pressure on Saleh to step down from power.

"Mubarak and Ben Ali left rule after less than three weeks of peaceful protests, while Saleh has not understood the message after nine months of peaceful protests," he said, referring to the deposed leaders of Libya and Tunisia.

Protests took place Wednesday in 12 provinces nationwide, mainly in Taiz, Shabwa, Ibb, and Aden.

Several members of the opposition said that despite the setback that is expected from the U.N. Security Council, they will continue to stage more demonstrations demanding the end of the regime, following their politics of "peaceful escalation."

"It's our only option," said Ahmad Bahri of the opposition Haq party. "We don't want to resort to violence. No one will gain when blood is shed,"

Source: CNN