Updated on
Summary Opposition rejects Saleh's offer to step down by the end of this year.
The youth groups that began a month-long uprising in Yemen said that they wanted a new constitution and the dissolution of parliament, local councils and the notorious security agencies in addition to the immediate ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.Also on Thursday, a top military official who defected to the opposition this week met privately with the president to suggest him the exit strategy. Saleh rejected the offer, lashing out at the protesters threatening his 32-year rule.The oppositions widening demands reflect the perception that Salehs regime has been badly weakened by weeks of unrelenting protests and the defection to the opposition of a number of powerful officials, including members of the presidents inner circles.Earlier this week, the opposition rejected Salehs offer to step down by the end of this year as too little andtoo late. On Thursday night, security forces deployed heavily throughout the capital, raising the specter of confrontation.
