Washington: The United States has expressed strong concern over the unabated violence in Yemen and called for an "open process" to address the legitimate needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people.
"We are concerned about and are monitoring the situation in Yemen. We've seen reports of further violence, and that is a concern, and we've been very clear about our views on the need that all sides refrain from violence, that there be an open process that addresses the legitimate needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.
"We support a dialogue, a political dialogue, and (Yamenese) President Saleh has publicly indicated his willingness to engage in a peaceful transition of power, and we believe the timing and form of that transition should be accomplished through dialogue and negotiation," Carney said.
He acknowledged that during this political unrest in Yemen, the United States is concerned that al-Qaeda and other groups will attempt to take advantage of the power vacuum.
"That's one of the reasons why we urge political dialogue to take place and a timetable for this transition that President Saleh has talked about to be begun," he said.
"But we believe that we can and will work with the government of Yemen on these very important matters. And they're not focused on one individual.
"Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is of great concern to the United States, which is why we put so much work in our counterterrorism efforts with the government of Yemen and with those who can be partners with us around the region
and the world in combating the terrorist activities of AQAP," Carney said.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said US believes that Yemeni people should determine both the scope of change and the pace of change when a transition, a peaceful transition of power, takes place that meets their aspirations.
"We continue to consult intensively, both here and in Sana'a with the parties, and our ultimate goal is a peaceful solution," he said, adding there was a gap between what Saleh said and what people have asked for.
"In our discussions both with the government and with the opposition, that we're helping, or talking about bridging that gap. Our goal here is to see a peaceful solution to the violence and to the crisis, one that meets the Yemeni people's aspirations that need to be addressed," Toner said.
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