The scholars said the upcoming presidential election, due to be held on February 21, will prevent a possible civil war and pave the way for unity in the post-Saleh era.
“This election is to prevent the enemies’ plots who seek to … this nation into corruption and civil war. This election will also prevent the foreign plots aimed at segregating this nation,” scholar Ismail al-Hazmi said on Monday.
They reiterated that the election does not contradict the main goals of Yemen’s revolution, stressing that it is the only peaceful way out of the current impasse.
“Whoever is not in favor of participating in this election should withhold his vote without expressing his opinion by force and use of weapons,” said another scholar.
Analysts believe that the next step is a reshuffle in the military commission of the country, which they say will contribute to the peaceful transition of power.
Yemeni ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh formally transferred power to his deputy Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi in November under a deal brokered by the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets of several Yemeni cities, calling for trial of Saleh over the killing of hundreds of protesters.
This is while, the Yemeni ruler is currently staying in the US to undergo medical treatment for wounds he sustained in an attack on his presidential palace last year. He, however, has vowed to return to Yemen “to be present during the elections.”
The ongoing popular uprising in Yemen against the rule of dictator Saleh began in late January 2011.
AO/GHN
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