Yemen power transfer talks halt, govt snubs opposition

Yemen power transfer talks halt, govt snubs opposition

Further talks to resolve Yemen’s political crisis have failed after the deputy to wounded President Ali Abdullah Saleh refused to speak with groups demanding he cede power immediately, opposition figures said.

            The ensuing political paralysis, and longstanding conflicts with insurgents, separatists and rebel tribesmen, has fanned Western and regional fears of Yemen collapsing into chaos and giving Al-Qaeda a foothold astride oil shipping routes.

            A ceasefire has held in Sana’a since Saleh left a week ago, after more than 200 people were killed and thousands fled during two weeks in clashes between his loyalists and the forces of tribal leader Sheikh Sadeq Al-Ahmar, who backs the protesters.
           
            Yemen’s army killed 21 Al-Qaeda members in the southern province of Abyan Saturday, 18 of them in Zinjibar, the provincial capital that fell. Ten soldiers were killed in fighting there and another city, Lawdar, state media said.

             Saleh has three times backed out of plans crafted by Gulf neighbors to quit after a transitional period.