[03 September 2008]

SANA'A, Sep. 03 (Saba)- The leadership of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) has met with the chargé d’affaires of the European Commission Office in Sana'a.

During the meeting, the JMP leadership praised the EC role in supporting and developing Yemen's democratic experience, confirming the JMP's adherence to recommendations of the EU's observation mission's report regarding the last elections in 2006.

They also discussed the latest developments in the political field the country witnesses.

The EC officer affirmed the continuing adherence to the EU recommendations approved by the ruling General People Congress party (GPC) and the main opposition parties in Yemen.

The EC officer confirmed the importance of applying the recommendations in order to secure holding free and fair elections in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the GPC urged the Yemeni people to adopt tolerance and brotherhood, give up extremism and hatred, and prioritizing national interests.

The GPC called on all citizens, political parties and civil organizations to embody the spirit of unity and discard separation as well as to deepen principles of the national unity.

For the upcoming elections, the main opposition parties have said it may boycott "the upcoming parliamentary elections if the ruling party insisted on its own prospects".

The JMP affirmed that the current Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum is illegal, pointing out it would hold an all-out national and general conference aiming to rescue the state from the dark tunnel resulted in by the authorities and the ruling party.

The parliament recently rejected a bill of amendments to the election law, underscoring escalating tension between the ruling party and the opposition.

YA

Saba