Yemeni opposition doubts Saleh pledge to quit soon

By Erika Solomon and Mohammed Ghobari

SANAA (Reuters) - Yemeni officials rowed back from President Ali Abdullah Saleh's statement that he would step down within "the coming days", and opponents dismissed the offer on Sunday as yet another delaying tactic to try and stay in power.

Saleh, 69, has defied protests all year against his three-decade rule, reversing repeated pledges to quit. The United States and Saudi Arabia worry that unrest risks tipping the dirt-poor nation into civil war and economic collapse.

In a speech late on Saturday, Saleh said: "I reject power and I will continue to reject it, and I will be leaving power in the coming days."

But Deputy Information Minister Abdu al-Janadi told Reuters Saleh's departure still depends on reaching an agreement, which had yet to be signed.

"He said this to show his commitment to this plan, but there is no plan for a resignation or transfer of powers before we have agreed and signed a deal. That would just plunge the country into chaos or even war," he said.

"He is ready to leave power in days, yes, but whether this happens in the coming days or months will depend on the success of negotiations for a deal."

Protests against Saleh's rule have paralyzed Yemen, weakening government control over swathes of the country and fanning fears al Qaeda's regional wing may use the upheaval to expand its foothold near Red Sea oil-shipping routes.

OPPONENTS SAY SPEECH A PLOY