The death of the Yemen-American cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki was greeted with ambivalence and skepticism in the streets of Sanaa, where more than eight months anti-government activists have been calling for the downfall of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Hopes for a negotiated end to the crisis were disappointed when Saleh suddenly returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had spent three months recovering from an assassination attempt last week.
Friday, about 100,000 protesters joined a mass rally, completing a stretch of two miles of a ring road north of the capital and calling for the resignation of Saleh and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Most Yemenis do not even know who is Anwar Awlaki. I think that speaks for itself, "said the leader of the opposition Hasan Zaid.
Some protesters expressed concern that the murder could help President Awlaki cling to office, he held for 33 years. The United States has grown Saleh as an ally in its fight against al-Qaida, more than double its military aid to $ 150 million last year, and Saleh has repeatedly warned the U.S. that his departure will result in gains for the terrorist group.
"We have always questioned the timing of these announcements from our government.Saleh is on the back foot and about to resign and Anwar Awlaki is suddenly killed, said Fayza Sulieman, a leader of protest female. "We all know that Saleh's fight against al-Qaida is the only thread support its retention. We pray that this new not to distract the world from our fight against this tyrannical regime. "
Walid al-Matari, expressing opposition to change a Square in Sana'a, said: "We are not interested in Anwar Awlaki, this is one man. Our struggle is against the corrupt regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh ".
Protesters claim that for years has allowed Saleh al-Qaida affiliates to prosper and to launch attacks in order to reap the political and financial benefits. Now, as Saleh is once again supported away from a deal that would see him share the power of immunity, he may be looking to capitalize on the death of Awlaki.
"Terrorism in Yemen based on a lack of clarity and grievances caused by a corrupt and incompetent," said Zaid. If the Government of Saleh were replaced, he said, "the dark hole in the society in which these groups seek refuge will be illuminated, and resources and their appeal would not be."
Saleh said in an interview Thursday, his first since returning from Saudi Arabia, he would not stand down as promised if his opponents were allowed to stand for election to succeed him.
"If we transfer power and [rival forces] are there, that means we have given in a coup," he said. "If we transfer power and they are in their positions, and they are still makers, it will be very dangerous. This will lead to civil war. "
Hopes for a negotiated end to the crisis were disappointed when Saleh suddenly returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had spent three months recovering from an assassination attempt last week.
Friday, about 100,000 protesters joined a mass rally, completing a stretch of two miles of a ring road north of the capital and calling for the resignation of Saleh and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Most Yemenis do not even know who is Anwar Awlaki. I think that speaks for itself, "said the leader of the opposition Hasan Zaid.
Some protesters expressed concern that the murder could help President Awlaki cling to office, he held for 33 years. The United States has grown Saleh as an ally in its fight against al-Qaida, more than double its military aid to $ 150 million last year, and Saleh has repeatedly warned the U.S. that his departure will result in gains for the terrorist group.
"We have always questioned the timing of these announcements from our government.Saleh is on the back foot and about to resign and Anwar Awlaki is suddenly killed, said Fayza Sulieman, a leader of protest female. "We all know that Saleh's fight against al-Qaida is the only thread support its retention. We pray that this new not to distract the world from our fight against this tyrannical regime. "
Walid al-Matari, expressing opposition to change a Square in Sana'a, said: "We are not interested in Anwar Awlaki, this is one man. Our struggle is against the corrupt regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh ".
Protesters claim that for years has allowed Saleh al-Qaida affiliates to prosper and to launch attacks in order to reap the political and financial benefits. Now, as Saleh is once again supported away from a deal that would see him share the power of immunity, he may be looking to capitalize on the death of Awlaki.
"Terrorism in Yemen based on a lack of clarity and grievances caused by a corrupt and incompetent," said Zaid. If the Government of Saleh were replaced, he said, "the dark hole in the society in which these groups seek refuge will be illuminated, and resources and their appeal would not be."
Saleh said in an interview Thursday, his first since returning from Saudi Arabia, he would not stand down as promised if his opponents were allowed to stand for election to succeed him.
"If we transfer power and [rival forces] are there, that means we have given in a coup," he said. "If we transfer power and they are in their positions, and they are still makers, it will be very dangerous. This will lead to civil war. "
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