Sanaa, May 25: A Yemeni umbrella opposition group welcomed a government amnesty for nearly 300 imprisoned rebels and separatists, one of its key demands, but members said on Monday they doubted the government was serious about change.
In a speech on Friday to mark 20 years of unity between north and south Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced an amnesty for 298 imprisoned northern Shi’ite rebels, southern secessionists and journalists.
He also said he wanted to open up Yemen’s political process to all participants.
A national dialogue, which also would result in agreement on terms of the first parliamentary election since 2003, has been delayed since last year when Sanaa declined to include northern rebels and southern secessionists in the talks.
“We welcome the release of the prisoners,” Mohammad al-Naimy, spokesman for the al-Liqaa al-Mushtarak umbrella group, told Reuters. “As for the participation in the political process, this depends on the outcome of our dialogue with the government”.
Formed in 2003, the organisation brings together Yemen’s main opposition parties, including Islamist party al-Islah and the Yemeni Socialist Party.
But speaking on the sidelines of a meeting at the group’s headquarters, members said they were not convinced by Saleh’s offer for political participation.
“He wants to show this to the United States, because they pushed him to have a dialogue with us,” said Mohammed Abdulmalik al-Mutawakkil, leading member of the umbrella group and professor of political science at Sanaa University.
“After 31 years in power, do you think (Saleh) is going to accept change?”
–Agencies