Berlin urges to Saleh to open way for new political beginning

Germany here on Friday called on embattled Yemeni President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, not to stand in the way of a new political beginning in his crisis-hit country. Speaking at a weekly government press briefing, Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Martin Schaefer, urged the 69-year-old Saleh to open the way for an 'orderly political transition towards democratic elections.' Schaefer appealed to all sides, including Saleh, to engage in talks on a new political beginning. He pointed out that Saleh's unexpected return to Yemen on Friday after three months recovering in Saudi Arabia, came at a time in which the country was an 'extremely fragile situation.' The German official voiced fear Yemen could drift into 'chaos and ungovernability.' He cautioned Saleh's return could lead to a further escalation of the situation. Saleh who has ruled Yemen with an iron fist since 1978, has reportedly no plan to resign despite international pressure. Yemen has been the scene of escalating violence in recent days as government troops have reportedly killed dozens of opposition protesters.