Mohammed Qahtan, Islah Opposition Party Leader:

”The president rules the parliament already, and even though he is not there, nothing happens that is against his will. He is the leader of parliament in the end. Therefore, if he will not allow anyone to come near his rule, he should just be the head of parliament instead of making someone of his followers.”

Yemen Post: What are the reasons behind the continuous rejections the Joint Meeting Party (JMP) to the amendments the ruling party has been calling for in the constitution and electoral law?

Mohammed Qahtan: We have not refused to talk. We are not against amending the laws. We gave our suggestions to the General People Congress (GPC) and they have not yet given us any comments on what they think.

YP: Observers see that the opposition should try to reach an agreement with the ruling party, especially in a time when Yemen faces hardships politically, economically, with a war in Saa’da, and unrest in the South. Your stance might give opposition members outside Yemen a chance to hurt the unity of Yemen.

MQ: The JMP is not a ladder for oppositions outside the country to climb and use. We have our agenda, and in no way are we connected to other sides or parties.

On the other hand, those who call for ending the unity along with terrorists are supported by the government, and because of the governments selfish actions, they give such groups chances to grow and hurt the country.

YP: Do you have any contact with opposition members in exile?

MQ: We have no connection whatsoever with opposition members living outside Yemen. The only connection we have to them is what we see on television.

YP: Last month, the JMP announced the government will raise the prices of petrol, while the Prime Minister's office denied it, and described the JMP comments as “lies.” What can you say about the incident?

MQ: We never say things that are untrue, we received official information that it will happen, and time to prove the government was lying to the people.

YP: However, until today one month has passed, and gas stations have not raised its prices, and it seems that the JMP revealed false information to the public?

MQ: We never give false information, and you will come out to see that what we said will be exactly practiced by the government. On the other hand, we hope that it does not happen. In the end, if the news is true it will add more pain and suffering to the people, who have already sacrificed and suffered a lot. Again, what we revealed about the rise in oil prices was through strong official information.

YP: After the death of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ahmar, a major blow and setback for the Islah Party were witnessed, as he was the reason for keeping the tribes together throughout the country under one leader. How will his death hurt the party politically?

MQ: No one can ever fill in the space that the Sheikh left after his death. This is not a blow for the party only, but for the country and the Muslim world as well. Yes, we will miss him but we will continue to be strong and serve our country. Our party was not under one man’s hand like the ruling party. The space he left cannot be replaced by anyone, but in the same time does not give weakness to the party.

YP: How can the Islah Party fill the gap that Sheikh Ahmar left?

MQ: It can never be filled. Ahmar was a great leader loved by everyone. No one can do what he did, and in return get complete respect and loyalty from everyone. This does not mean that we are weak, but it means that when a leader dies, people miss him and find someone else to replace him. It is a life circle that we believe in.

YP: There are rumors that his son Sheikh Hameed Al-Ahmar will replace his father in taking lead for the Islah Party?

MQ: Such a thing is impossible, and everything will go through elections. The person who will be voted by the assembly will lead the party; No one can lead the party only if elected by the people.

YP: In your opinion, who is the most fit to lead the Islah Party after the death of the Sheikh?

MQ: It not a matter to me personally, but I am sure that the assembly will vote for the fit candidate. I have not given out the names of people I will vote for. I think it is too early. When the time gets near, and the matter becomes serious then I will announce who I will vote for. In the end, my voice is like any other party member. I will vote like everyone else.

YP: Now that Yahya Al-Ra’ee is head of parlaiment, Who would you have chosen to be the head after the death of Ahmar?

MQ: President Ali Abdullah Saleh should be the head of parliament.

YP: Was that a joke?

MQ: No, now President Saleh rules everything the country. Why not be head of parliament as well. The president rules the parliament already, and even though he is not there, nothing happens that is against his will. He is the leader of parliament in the end. Therefore, if he will not allow anyone to come near his rule, he should just be the head of parliament instead of making someone of his followers. His follower will only do as asked by the president in the end.

YP: Are there any members of the Islah Party who are affiliated with corruption?

MQ: No.

YP: Are you saying that the ruling party has corrupt leaders while your party are all clean?

MQ: Yes.

YP: Don’t you think that is a little bit of an exaggeration?

MQ: This is my opinion, and I don’t know anyone from my party who is corrupt or has any connection to corruption.

YP: MP Sakhr Al-Wajeeh said in an interview with the Yemen Post that a number of Islah opposition leaders  are corrupt?

MQ: That is his opinion.

YP: Since ruling party members are corrupt, can you mention some of their names?

MQ: I said that the party is corrupt, and it is not wise to say names of people, that is why we have courts and the anti corruption committee.

YP: Has the Anti-Corruption Committee done any good to the country until day?

MQ: No, until today they have not helped in anything. The fruits of their work is still invisible.

YP: Your relationship with Sheikh Abdul Majeed Al-Zindani, is it still bad?

MQ: Sheikh Zindani is a leading figure in this party, while I am a normal person. I cannot say that we have problems. Our relationship is as good as honey. We have a duty towards our party and we will work to achieve the party’s goals.

YP: What advice would you give the president?

MQ: Leave office and go home.

YP: Don’t you think that it is harsh to use such words?

MQ: It is not harsh to be honest, and I think he should leave office and resign from being president before he does more bad to this country.

YP: Do you have final comments?

MQ: No thank you.