A deal to end Yemen’s political crisis neared collapse Sunday after the country’s embattled president refused to sign it, leaving a deadlock that threatens to plunge the impoverished Arab nation and key U.S. ally deeper into disorder and bloodshed.
An unraveling of the deal for Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down after nearly three months of protests against his rule would greatly increase the prospects of more bloodshed in a nation long beset by serious conflict and deep poverty and which is home to al-Qaeda’s most active offshoot.
At least 140 people have been killed in the government’s crackdown on the protesters, who have nonetheless grown in number week after week. The violence, which has included sniper attacks, has prompted several top military commanders, ruling party members, diplomats and others to defect to the opposition.
Still, Saleh has clung to power, thanks in part to the key backing of Yemen’s best trained and equipped military units, under the command of one of his sons and other close relatives.
