In a speech, locally touted as “historical” to solve the current political crisis, Saleh presented his initiative to an assembly of thousands of pro-government supporters who converged on a stadium in the capital Sanaa from across the country.

His proposal includes writing a new constitution that would separate powers and will be brought to vote before the end of this year. The new constitution to be written by a committee of political and social figures.

Saleh proposed converting the country’s presidential system into a parliamentary one that gives all executive powers to a government elected by Parliament and introducing a powerful decentralized local government system by early 2012.

Days after his forces clashed with demonstrators, Saleh said that he gave his orders to the government to fulfill the demonstrators’ demands and to protect them. Saleh stated that the opposition was going to throw out his offer, which is why he appealed directly to the nation.

Since the success of two uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the troubled leader has offered a series of concessions to absorb the anger of ordinary Yemenis. Saleh vowed in the past that he would not stand for a new term or hand over power to his son.

He also raised salaries and slashed taxes in an attempt to shore up his support and defuse popular anger.

The opposition in Yemen seems to be unimpressed by the new concessions and vowed to continue backing the protesters in the street.

Mohammed Al-Sabri, spokesman of Yemen’s opposition coalition parties, told Arab News by telephone that the regime always gives tardy offers. “The offer expresses the political bankruptcy of the regime. The millions of demonstrators in the streets are telling him to step down and he offers new initiatives.”

“Our response will be presented tomorrow when millions of people across the country go to the streets on the ‘Friday of Determination and Challenge.’”

The opposition said previously they have reached a point of no return with the regime and would support the protesters until Saleh leaves office.

In the capital, hundreds of journalists, doctors and academics decided to join the protesters calling for Saleh’s ouster.

In the city of Taiz, where the demonstrations started, thousands of protesters gathered in Freedom Square. The organizers say they are gearing up for a million-strong rally on Friday as a response to Saleh’s offer.