As officials abandon him, Yemen president fires Cabinet

[nadinbrzezinski]

Reporting from Cairo— Yemen's embattled president sacked his Cabinet, state media reported Sunday, as many ministers prepared to abandon him in protest over recent attacks on unarmed protesters by his security forces and supporters.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh's representative to the United Nations, the chief of the state-run television channel, key members of his own tribe and three prominent Cabinet members had already announced their resignations.

"It was suspected that his whole Cabinet would resign," said Murad Azzani, a political analyst at Sana University. "Those opposing his rule are not likely to accept any kind of concessions from him at this late stage."

Few have accepted Saleh's denials that government forces were involved in the bloody attack Friday that killed about 50 people and injured hundreds at a long-running sit-in near Sana University. Tens of thousands of people were gathered there to call for his ouster when the assault took place.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-yemen-funeral-20110321,0,647427.story

[kenny blankenship]

1. Sounds like he's circling the drain now.

I wonder if the Saudi princes are starting to feel something closing in around them?

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Since you asked

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x702984

Add syria too

[kenny blankenship]

3. Military splitting: Yemeni General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar backs protest movement

Yemen: Key general backs protest movement
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12811574

Key Yemeni General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, long close to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, says he is backing the protest movement against the regime.

Two other senior army commanders are also reported to have resigned.

President Saleh said he was "holding out" and the National Defence Council said it would block any coup"
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Defense Minister vows Army will uphold the Saleh govt. Tanks surround Presidential Palace in Aden. France's Foreign Minister Juppé calls on Pres. Saleh to bow to the inevitable.