Yemeni president orders beginning of power transfer

Saleh had offered the latest reform initiative to the opposition Thursday, Xinhua reported citing the official Saba news agency.

Saleh gave the order Friday during a meeting of senior security officials and army members of the country's National Defence Council.

The president, who has been in power for 33 years and is facing growing demands for his stepping down from thousands of protesters across major cities, renewed calls for the opposition to resume dialogue.