SANA'A // Yemen recalled its ambassador to Qatar yesterday following remarks from Qatar's prime minister suggesting a plan for the Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to hand over power.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani said on Thursday that members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) "hope to reach a deal with the Yemeni president to step down".
Mr Saleh, in turn, lashed out at Qatar and accused it of interfering in Yemen.
"Our power comes from the power of our great people, not from Qatar, not from anyone else. This is blatant interference in Yemeni affairs," Mr Saleh told a huge crowd of supporters in Sana'a on Friday.
Under the GCC exit plan, according to opposition sources, Mr Saleh would hand power over to his deputy in return for guarantees of protection for him and his family. The US welcomed on Friday the GCC's initiative, saying it was encouraging "urgently needed dialogue".
Violence returned to the southern city of Taiz yesterday afternoon as police fired live and rubber bullets on thousands of protesters, wounding more than ten, according to medics. On Friday, four protesters were killed and up to 400 were wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces.
In Sana'a, tens of thousands marched yesterday to protest the violence in Taiz and demand the immediate resignation of Mr Saleh. Police used live fire and tear gas to disperse protesters, with no reported casualties.
In the city of Thamar, six university students were wounded yesterday when government dispersed their protest them. In response to the treatment of students, the teaching staff of Thamar University walked out.
More than 120 people have been killed since the start of protests against Mr Saleh on February 11.
malqadhi@thenational.ae
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
Price: From Dh122,900
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5