Yemen opposition backs vice-president

Anti-government protesters are celebrating the departure of President Saleh Yemen\'s main opposition coalition says it will accept a transfer of power to the vice-president, after President Ali Abdullah Saleh left for Saudi Arabia.  The opposition Joint Meeting Parties said that otherwise they would seek to form a transitional government.

Vice-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has been acting president since Mr Saleh departed to Riyadh on Saturday to seek medical treatment.

It remains unclear whether Mr Saleh will return to Yemen.  Presidential sources insist the president is only in Saudi Arabia for treatment and will be back in Yemen in a matter of days.

Mr Saleh, who has ruled since 1978, has so far refused to leave office despite protests and a tribal uprising which has put the country on the brink of civil war.

Meanwhile, at least three people have been killed in the capital, Sanaa, according to the Ahmar tribe, in clashes with security forces.

\"The opposition supports the complete transfer of power to the vice-president,\" Sultan el-Atwani, a leading figure in the Joint Meeting Parties, told Reuters news agency.

\"In the case this falls through, the opposition and the youth of the revolution have alternative options, meaning a transitional council,\" he added. 

The opposition had previously backed a similar deal, brokered by Gulf countries, which would have seen Mr Saleh hand power to Mr Hadi in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

But Mr Saleh has consistently refused to sign the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) plan.

Thousands have been celebrating the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Saudi Arabia for surgery.  However, there are mounting fears for the stability of the country, which is home to an al-Qaeda wing and riven with tribal and political divisions.

Saudi officials said Mr Saleh is recovering from surgery to remove shrapnel from his chest, after being wounded in an attack on his presidential compound in Sanaa.

There were reports he would remain in Saudi Arabia for two weeks; one week to recover and another for meetings, but it was not known what he planned to do after that. Presidential sources have told the BBC that President Saleh will be back in Yemen in a matter of days.  Deputy information minister Abdu al-Janadi has said Mr Saleh may give up power at some point, \"but it has to be in a constitutional way\".

Meanwhile, thousands of people loyal to the president have dedicated Monday as a day of fasting to express support for the leader.

Mr Saleh underwent two successful operations on Sunday on his chest and neck, Saudi officials said, suggesting he would seek to return to Sanaa after convalescing.

But even if President Saleh wants to return, it is unlikely Saudi Arabia will allow him, BBC Middle East correspondent Jon Leyne says.

Mr Hadi has already met US ambassador Gerald Michael Feierstein, state news agency Saba reported, to discuss \"the importance of co-operation with the [opposition] Common Forum\" alliance.

He may have little real power, however, with Mr Saleh\'s son and other relatives in charge of key units of the security forces.

Friday\'s attack on Mr Saleh came after days of street battles in Sanaa between government forces and fighters loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, head of the powerful Hashid tribal federation.

That power struggle overlaid widespread street protests that began earlier in the year, inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, calling for democratic reforms and an end to Mr Saleh\'s rule.
Some analysts say Saudi Arabia will now use his presence in the country to pressure him to sign the agreement.
 

From BBC News