Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said on Wednesday that the GCC-brokered power deal remains the most important key for the transitional period in Yemen.

In a statement, Ashton urged all Yemeni parties to put their disagreements aside and put the country's interest above anything else.

Furthermore, she noted that she had asked Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Yemen's Foreign Minister with the caretaker government who is currently on a Europe tour, to convey the position of the EU over Yemen to President Saleh, who is being treated in Saudi Arabia. Saleh survived in early June an assassination attempt inside his palace that killed eleven of his bodyguards and seriously injured more than 86 senior officials.

"The Yemeni people should not be the prey of political conflicts and humanitarian crises which have grave impacts at regional and international levels," the statement said.

In addition, Ashton urged all Yemeni parties to drop violence, saying if the government seriously and transparently moves towards a practical transitional period, this will enable it to enjoy international support and important horizons.

If a serious power transfer takes place in Yemen, the government will receive enormous world support, she said.

The statement coincided with the remarks of the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague including those which urged President Saleh to sign the GCC power plan.

President Saleh had backed out three times of signing the deal at the last minute, the latest in May after his party and the opposition already signed it in Sana'a with the GCC Secretary General in attendance.

Hague's remarks were given during his meeting with Al-Qirbi. He warned of bad consequences if the government does not deal with the current situation more practically and immediately.

Yemen is experiencing severe political, economic and security crises and a breakthrough towards tackling the current impasse will be applauded and helpful for Yemen, he said, pointing to the rapidly deteriorating economy in the country.