US urges President Saleh to quit power in Yemen

Washington, July 11 (ANI): The United States is putting pressure on Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down and help revive a Gulf peace plan.

John Brennan, US President Barack Obama's counter terrorism adviser met President Saleh in Riyadh on Sunday and urged him to sign a power transfer deal, The Telegraph reports.

"The United States believes that a transition in Yemen should begin immediately so that the Yemeni people can realize their aspirations," the White House said.

Despite strong Western pressure, Saleh has repeatedly refused to sign the plan brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) under which he would hand over power within 30 days in exchange for a promise of immunity from prosecution.

"During the meeting, Brennan called upon President Saleh to fulfill expeditiously his pledge to sign the GCC-brokered agreement for peaceful and constitutional political transition in Yemen," the White House said.

In Yemen's national capital Sanaa, the parliamentary opposition has called for an escalation in the protests against President Saleh.

Saleh has refused to cede power despite anti-regime protests which have left 200 people dead. (ANI)