Yemenis hail transitional council

Yemenis have been demanding the formation of a transitional council since dictator Saleh left the country.

Anti-government demonstrators have poured into the streets in southern Yemen to expressed support for the newly formed transitional council to run the country.

Mass rallies in support of the 17-member council of opposition figures were held in the cities of Taizz and Ibb on Monday.

Revolutionaries also called for the downfall of the government of country’s long-time dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh and formation of a civilian government.

They also demanded the prosecution of Saleh and his regime officials over the killing of hundreds of anti-government protesters since opposition rallies began in the country in late January.

Yemeni anti-government youth groups set up the transitional council last week to manage the country’s affairs and to lead efforts to try and force Saleh from power before his possible return from Saudi Arabia.

According to the Youth Revolution Council, one of Yemen’s largest youth organizations, the council would include former Yemeni president Ali Nasser Mohammed, former defense minister General Abdullah Ali Aleiwa and leaders of several opposition groups, including those in exile.

Tawakul Karman, a member of the transitional council, said the council has three priorities: the abolishment of Saleh’s regime, leading the country during a transition period, and the prosecution of dictator Saleh, his son, and members of his regime.

The council will also announce a 501-member “national assembly” that will draft a new constitution, Karman said.

Since Saleh left the country for Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in early June following an attack on the presidential palace, Yemenis are holding almost daily anti-government protests across the country, demanding his resignation.

Demonstrators have vowed to continue their protest rallies and sit-in through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan until their demands are met.

“We will continue our sit-in through Ramadan, not just during Ramadan, until all of Saleh’s regime and its elements are removed. We have now removed the root but we are left with the stem, the corrupt elements who control the oil and petroleum facilities, gas and water. They want to rule this nation while they entrap its citizens,” Reuters quoted anti-government protester Abdullah al-Ghashmary as saying.