Yemeni president prolongs 'suspense' over his plans

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

SANAA (AFP) — Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has maintained the suspense about whether he would seek a new mandate by adjourning a meeting of his ruling party held to nominate a presidential candidate.

The adjournment of the General People's Congress (GPC) meeting until Saturday was the second in as many days after party officials failed to persuade Saleh, in power for nearly three decades, to seek a new seven-year term.

"I suggest adjourning the session until Saturday morning," Saleh said after listening for three hours to GPC members exhorting him to present his candidacy for September's presidential election on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Saleh told the GPC meeting that he was not bluffing when he said, initially last July, that he did not want to remain...