Yemen opposition wants clarification from GCC

* Gulf states say Saleh should hand power to vice-president

Source:Reuters,12/04/2011

Opposition wants clarification, fear a Saleh manoeuvre

* Saleh accepts plan, says could resign via "constitution"

By Mohamed Sudam and Mohammed Ghobari

SANAA, April 12 (Reuters) - Yemen opposition parties on Tuesday urged Gulf mediators to spell out whether President Ali Saleh would hand over power early under their proposal to end a two-month crisis over leadership and political reforms.

Gulf Arab foreign ministers said this week they would invite Saleh and the opposition coalition to mediation talks in Riyadh, a key financier of Sanaa who analysts say Saleh trusts, on a transition of power.

The opposition said on Monday they rejected the Gulf Cooperation Council statement on the framework for the talks because it appeared to offer Saleh a waiver from any future prosecutions, demanded by the protest movement in the streets of Sanaa since February.

Opposition spokesman Mohammed Qahtan said on Tuesday the parties also had concerns over the phrase "transfer of power", which does not specify the timeframe for Saleh to step down. Protesters and the opposition are demanding an immediate exit.   Continued...