Tribes in Yemen are forming a coalition to stand against any attempt of President Saleh coming back to Yemen.

In the launch of the Yemen Tribal Coalition, Sheikh Sadeq Ahmar said that it was time for the tribes to take the leading role for change in Yemen and ensure security and safety for the Yemeni people. Ahmar vowed not to let President Saleh back to Yemen and continue ruling the country. “Saleh will not rule Yemen as long as I am alive. We will not allow him,” said Ahmar.

More than 750 tribal leaders attended the launch of the biggest tribal coalition in Yemen’s recent history.

However, the coalition did not involve leading tribal figures in the country.

Sheikh Mohammed Nagi Shaef, head of Yemen’s biggest tribe, Bakeel, said that the new coalition does not represent tribes of Yemen but rather the Islah Islamist party. “Leading tribal figures are not with Ahmar. The Islah party and its followers are only behind Ahmar,” said Shaef.

He insisted that he will continue being loyal to President Saleh and will not go against Yemen’s constitutional president. “Anyone who seeks change should not do so through coalitions and threats. Elections is the only way for modern change,” Shaef concluded.