More trouble for Yemen Prez; 3 top generals join opposition

New York, Mar 22: Three top generals of Yemen, including Major General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, have thrown their support behind the protesters, as have several ambassadors and diplomats.

The withdrawal of support came after President Ali Abdullah Saleh ordered a violent crackdown on protestors who have been demanding his ouster for more than a month. Government snipers killed more than 40 people Friday after opening fire on crowds.

The three military commanders all hail from Saleh's Hashid tribe and tribal leaders were said to be rallying around one of the men, Major General al-Ahmar.

Yemen's embattled President Saleh is the most serious challenge to his 32-year rule after three top military leaders joined the opposition.

On Sunday, Saleh's own powerful tribe called for him to step down, as top diplomats quit and his entire cabinet was fired ahead of a mass resignation.

Saleh defiantly refused calls that he resign and insisted he still had wide support, the Daily News reports.

"We're still here... the great majority of the Yemeni people are with security, stability and constitutional law. Those who are calling for chaos, violence, hate and sabotage are only a tiny minority," he said.

Al-Ahmar had been a long-time confidante of Saleh and commander of the army's strongest armored division.

Protestors took to the streets amid uprisings across the region that have toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt and led to international military intervention in Libya.

ANI

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Trust run by Yeddyurappa's sons received kickbacks: Opposition

Bangalore,Mar 15: Opposition Congress and JDS staged a dharna in Karnataka Legislative Assembly today demanding a CBI probe into alleged "kickbacks" received by a trust run by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's sons in return for Government favours.

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah (Congress) also demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister.

However the opposition demand was rejected by the government, which dubbed CBI as the "Congress Bureau of Investigation". "We can't give it to CBI, that's our party's (BJP) stand.

We will not give any enquiry to CBI (to probe)", Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said.

Insisting on a CBI probe, opposition members trooped into the well of the House, staged a dharna and ignored appeals to go back to their seats by Speaker KG Bopaiah, who then adjourned the proceedings by half an hour.

A meeting of opposition leaders and Ministers convened by the Speaker in his chamber apparently failed to break the deadlock as Congress and JDS MLAs continued their dharna when the House re-assembled. Bopaiah then adjourned the House to meet post-lunch.

Earlier,Siddaramaiah alleged that funds given by donors to Prerana Educational and Social Trust where B Y Raghavendra and BY Vijayendra, the Chief Minister's sons, are among the trustees, was not "donation", but "kickbacks" to get government favours.

The issue had rocked the Assembly yesterday also. The opposition alleged that the trust had received Rs 27.18 crore donations during 2008-09 and 2009-10, with Adarsh Developers and Jindal (JSW Mining company) being two of the major donors.

Siddaramaiah said Adarsh Developers was allowed to encroach government land, while Jindal (JSW Mining Company) colluding with the state-run Mysore Minerals Ltd had got benefits and caused huge loss to the state exchequer.

"Bribe has taken place; corruption has taken place", he said and charged the Government with receiving "illegal gratification" and "kickbacks".

PTI

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