Yemen's President Saleh 'negotiating' departure

Agreement is close on a transfer of power from Yemen's veteran President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, a government minister says.

After six weeks of protests, Mr Saleh has said he is willing to step down this year.

But the demonstrators want him to go immediately.

This is the first time the government has confirmed that President Saleh is negotiating the terms of his departure, observers say.

They add that amid the growing pressure, many see the statement by Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi - a close ally of the president - as a clear sign that Mr Saleh's resignation is now a matter of time.

It comes a day after tens of thousands people attended rival mass rallies in the capital Sanaa.

Last week some 50 people were shot dead at an anti-government protest.

In recent weeks, Mr Saleh's power base has been hit by top military figures and tribal leaders joining the opposition. ...

via BBC News - Yemen's President Saleh 'negotiating' departure.