The General People's Congress, Yemen's ruling party, said Saturday that the U.S. call for Yemen to delay a vote on constitutional amendments proposed by the party last week and which the House of Representatives already voted on today was interference in Yemen's internal affairs.

The call made Friday by the U.S. Department of State on the New Year's Eve harmed
Yemen's sovereignty and was considered as regrettable interference in Yemen's own matters, the party said.

U.S. officials are aware that Yemen's Parliament acts according to constitutional and legal rules and that the determination of nations can't be decided through external desires, it said.

"The U.S. call, which urged all Yemeni parties to postpone the parliamentary procedure and come back to the negotiating table in the best interest of the Yemeni people, was irresponsible and did not live up to diplomacy norms or wisdom."

Lawmakers should respond to the desire of their people and bear the sense of national
Responsibility, the party made clear, reaffirming that it has left open the door to dialogue with various political forces. "We also urge to put the interests of the nation above anything else."

On Friday, Mark C. Toner, acting spokesman for the U.S. Department of State called on Yemeni parties to avoid the vote, saying if it takes place, it could add to instability in their country.

He added that the U.S. has supported and will continue to support commitments of
the ruling party and the opposition towards national issues, urging both to negotiate to reach 'an agreement that will be welcomed by the Yemeni people as well as Yemen's Friends.'