Saleh's Mubarak Option

 Yemen’s dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh is still refusing to step down. According to published reports, he flirted with the idea of no longer leading the Middle Eastern country. However, he has decided that it was in the country’s ‘best interest’ to stick around until the end of the year.

Saleh and pals

Now, he’s still pushing the same idea, but in a different capacity. Call it a copy of Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak’s plan. Mubarak ‘handed over’ control to his vice president, Omar Suleiman, in an attempt to stay in power. However, protests continued, leading to his stepping down several days later. Saleh has a similar ploy.

Ali Abdullah Saleh made his offer at a meeting on Tuesday night with Mohammed al-Yadoumi, head of the Islamist Islah party. It was the first time Saleh had dealt with Islah, once a partner in his government, an opposition spokesmen said.
“The opposition could pick a head of government of its own choosing and there would be parliamentary elections by the end of the year,” an opposition source said of Saleh’s offer.

To make matters worse, this plan would give undue influence to the Islamists. Saleh probably has about two weeks left unless he is willing to massacre the Yemeni people.

Cross-posted on WorldThreats.

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