Sana'a: Yemen's ruling General People's Congress (GPC) has warned opposition parties they are "exploiting democracy" to encourage violent protests in the south of the country, where riots have been ongoing the past six days.
The opposition parties, in turn, have vowed to continue with their "peaceful protests" until their demands for political reforms are met.
"We warned opposition parties of the consequences if they continue taking advantage of the climate of freedom and democracy in Yemen," read a statement issued Thursday by the general committee of the GPC, the highest organ in the party, which is headed by Pres Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The statement continued: "[Consequences will] follow if there were violations of the constitution and law and order; or if the achievements of the people of Yemen on the road of their national struggle, the revolution and the republican system were offended."
'Social peace'
The GPC praised the "legal procedures and security measures taken by security forces and local authorities in the governorates of Lahj and Al-Dhale'e for maintaining security, stability, public tranquility and social peace."
It said protests by the opposition "were violating the faith of the Yemeni people and their principles and values, and damaging national unity and peace."
Many mosque speakers in Sana'a called on parliament to interfere to stop the violent protests in the south, which started a week ago after unemployed young people were barred from joining the army.
Some politicians warned of a war if the crisis continued.
"The government does not know how to manage political and economic battles, or implement policy decisions; it does not know how to move within the framework of the law. It knows only how to fight internal battles," said Ali Al Sarari, an opposition politician.
Al Sarari accused authorities of being behind the protests to obstruct the "peaceful struggle" of the opposition.
"The authorities were instigating such events as a justification to abort our peaceful struggle. What is happening today in the southern governorates is a small war," he said.
Dr. Abdul Faqih, professor of politics at Sana'a University, said the government's reaction against rioters in the south violated the constitution and the law.
"Such actions deepen the current crisis and do not help to solve anything."
He called for a national conference attended by all political and social powers to find a solution.
A lawyer, Abdul Aziz Al Samahi, condemned the riots and violence as illegal and punishable by law.
"Riots and violence are illegal, whether they were committed by saboteurs or outlaws, or the government," he said.
