Islam Times - Yemenis reject Saleh's call for talks

Islam Times - Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh has once again called for talks to resolve the country's long-running political crisis but the opposition says the dictator's time has “expired.”

Islam Times reports from Reuters: Invited the opposition parties and protest groups into talks, saying only "peaceful dialogue" can resolve the country's long-running political crisis.

Saleh's offer comes as thousands of anti-government protesters continue rallies on a daily basis to demand his ouster since he left the country for medical treatment in early June.

"We have never ceased to emphasize the necessity of a peaceful dialogue to find a solution to all these problems," Saleh wrote in an article published in pro-government newspapers on Monday, a day after the anniversary of his accession to power in 1978.

"I again invite all the political forces to return to reason and respond favorably to the call to dialogue from Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi to end the crisis," he added.

It is the second time that Saleh calls for dialogue since he left the country following an attack on his presidential palace.

Anti-government protesters, however, have rejected his offer, saying Saleh is not in a position to decide for the country.

"This is an invitation from a person who has already expired and we don't accept any negotiation with him and we don't accept any solution that doesn't give the revolution its complete rights after the sacrifices we have made," said Yahia al-Haroby, a protester.

Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister Abdo al-Janadi said on Saturday that Saleh will return to Yemen "soon."

Yemeni opposition has repeatedly warned about the dire consequences of his return with the influential Yemeni tribal leader, Sadeq al-Ahmer, saying that his return could spark civil war in the country.