“I call upon all brothers and friends to wear white glasses not black glasses to be able to see the crowds of our people saying “yes to the constitutional legitimacy. No to chaos, coups.’” “I call for an early election to prevent the bloodshed and to preserve traditions, and in a democratic and smooth manner,” Saleh told a crowd of tens of thousands.

Saleh’s call for early elections has created confusion as to whether he is reneging on earlier promise to sign a deal that would end his decades-long rule.

In a change of heart, Saleh on Thursday said he would sign the deal on Sunday.

It was not clear if Saleh had discussed the early elections option with his opponents or the regional mediators. In his speech Friday, he accused the protest movement of “treason.” “We will remain steadfast. We have been steadfast for four months in the face of a coup movement, and treason,” he said.

Saleh didn’t specify a date for the elections or mention a proposal mediated by the Gulf Cooperation Council to ensure he steps down in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

President Barack Obama said Thursday that “Saleh needs to follow through on his commitment to transfer power.” Saleh has balked at signing the regional deal, initially asking that his party officials sign it instead. Then after another attempt by the mediators to salvage the pact, Saleh refused to sign it, blaming the protesters for continuing to hold their rallies.

Meanwhile, thousands of anti-government protesters organized huge rallies Friday in most of the country’s provinces pressing for regime change and denouncing any diplomatic move that could guarantee regime immunity from prosecution.

The protesters in Sanaa, the epicenter of the nation-wide protests, asked Saleh to resign immediately and threatened to march to his palace if their demand was not met. Protesters also came out in large numbers in the city of Taiz where thousands have remained steadfast for months inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. The demonstrators vowed to stay put until they dislodge Saleh from power.

Sanaa also hosted a large counter rally for Saleh’s supporters who pledged their allegiance to the troubled leader and urged him to stand firm and face the challenges. At least 140 protesters have been killed in sporadic clashes between security forces and peaceful protesters since the beginning of the uprising in February.