The U.S. mission to Yemen expressed its regret over the deaths and injuries among the sit-inners and demonstrators in several Yemeni cities, urging President Saleh in a statement on Saturday to honor his word and protect the anti-government protesters.
We urge the Yemeni government to investigate all incidents that have led to casualties among the protesters including the deaths and the hundreds who were wounded early this morning when the security forces were said to have used live bullets and nerve gas against the sit-inners outside Sana’a University.
“ The U.S. affirms publicly and strongly that it must support the defense of human rights of the peaceful protesters,” the statement said.
In addition, the U.S. dismisses claims that it had OK’d in one way or another violence by any side in the country, the statement said, pointing out that the U.S. position was very clear on how to address the situation in Yemen.
“The U.S. here reiterates its position calling on all the Yemeni parties to hold a constructive dialogue to lift Yemen out of the current political stalemate which leads the country to further chaos,” it said.
This month President Saleh urged the security forces to protect all peaceful protests as the anti-regime protests started to escalate across the republic.