Rival Yemeni forces clashed in the capital Sanaa on Wednesday, killing two people, as the opposition awaited clarification from Gulf Arab mediators on the timeframe for a proposed transfer of the president's powers. Three people were killed in violence elsewhere in Yemen, including two shot dead in the southern city of Aden when security forces tried to break up a march demanding an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year rule, witnesses said.
Gulf Arab foreign ministers have said they will invite Saleh and his opponents to mediation talks on a transfer of power in Yemen to end a stand-off after two months of street protests.
The opposition initially rejected the plan, but met ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman on Tuesday to seek clarification of the proposal.
Opposition sources said they expected an answer from the Gulf on Wednesday on the timeframe and details of the plan, and could respond immediately. An opposition source said talks could start as early as Saturday in Riyadh.