SANA'A: A deal to transfer power peacefully in Yemen could emerge shortly based on an offer by President Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit by the end of the year, Foreign Minister Abubakr Al-Qirbi told Reuters. But Al Arabiya television later quoted Saleh as saying that while he was prepared to step down “with respect” even within hours in response to popular unrest, a deal did not appear imminent since his opponents had hardened their demands. “I hope it (agreement) will be today, before tomorrow,” Qirbi told Reuters in an interview, adding that the time frame of a transfer of power could be negotiated. Saleh told tribal leaders in Sana'a that he would “work to avoid bloodshed using all possible means”. “We are exerting all efforts for dialogue and we hope wise people will respond to this call for dialogue to preserve the country and its stability and unity,” he told the gathering. “President Saleh is willing to look at all possibilities, as long as there are really serious commitments by the JMP (opposition party) to come and initiate a serious dialogue between them and the ruling party,” Qirbi said. But an opposition leader cast doubt on prospects for a swift accord and a Sana'a diplomat cautioned it was too soon to discuss an outcome, saying it could “go either way”. Talks have been under way on two tracks to hash out the details of a deal on a peaceful transition of power in the country. “I think the time period is something that can be negotiated. It shouldn't be really an obstacle to reach an agreement,” Qirbi said. “I think things are very close if the real intention is really to reach an agreement. But if there are parties who want to obstruct it then of course one cannot predict.” Saleh, speaking to Arabiya television, confirmed that meetings had taken place in the past two days that included a discussion about a presidential address to parliament.“There was a meeting yesterday and the day before ... to discuss ways to end the crisis,” Saleh told Arabiya. The leader of Yemen's opposition coalition said the sides still had significant differences, and that while there were some contacts he did not consider them as negotiations. “We still have a very big gap,” said Yassin Noman, the rotating head of Yemen's opposition coalition. “I think he is maneuvering.” Yemeni political sources said some issues that could hold up a deal were whether the opposition would give guarantees not to pursue Saleh and his family legally. Saleh opponents also want to be sure his close relatives leave positions of power. Meanwhile, members of the ruling party said the president should serve out his term until 2013. “It is unacceptable and illogical to override the constitutional legality or for the minority to impose its will on the majority of the people,” the party said. It accused the opposition of having “closed the door to dialogue and sought isolation”, and said the crowds at a rally of solidarity with Saleh on Friday numbered as many as three million. “Power will only be handed over to someone chosen by the people through elections, the only way for a peaceful transition of power,” party spokesman Tareq Al-Shami said after the meeting.Militants seize town Witnesses say suspected Al-Qaeda militants have seized control of a small town in southern Yemen where police had withdrawn. The takeover signals Al-Qaeda and other militants are seeking to make gains on the country's deepening political turmoil, as protesters challenge the president's rule. The town of Jaar sits between an expanse of mountains where Al-Qaeda is active and the important port city of Aden, 35 km to the southwest. Earlier, in the south of the country, the army killed six suspected Al
