- The National Defense Council held a meeting on Thursday headed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, commander in chief of the armed forces.

Reviewing and approving the minutes of the previous meeting, the council discussed topics on the agenda topped by the latest developments in the country and a number of security and military reports.

At the meeting, President Saleh thanked the Yemeni people saying:" in my name and in the name of the National Defense Council I thank the Yemeni people who stayed calm despite wrong mobilization over the last months that resulted in social unrest in the Yemeni street."

After yesterday's meeting by the House of Representatives and the Shura and announcing an initiative to resume dialogue, we hoped an end had been brought to the unrest and that political forces would respond to the initiative positively, Saleh said.

"But unfortunately none reacted positively and parties continued rallies and protests at a time when the public are nervous. However, despite what these parties insist on and slogans chanted during rallies, the Yemeni people remain great and in favor of peace," added Saleh.

Saleh also thanked the security authorities for civilized response to rallies and protests.

"I watched today's rallies on TVs and saw how the security forces were calm and keen on preserving security."

"I have a big hope the political forces will respond to the initiative and take it seriously. All should show interest in dismissing tensions and agitation because dialogue is the best way to address all issues," he said.

"I am confident the Yemeni people are fully aware that protests and rallies should go properly without tensions or worries and in accordance with the law."

Furthermore, Saleh briefed the meeting on the details of the phone conversation between him and U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on Wednesday.

President Obama voiced the U.S. support to the initiative, as he highly praised reforms and positive steps it included, he told the meeting.