Yemeni Leader Backs Tribalism, Islam, Arms

Yemen’s top tribal chief says tribalism and Islam should retain their importance in a multi-party political system and that tribesmen should have the traditional right to carry weapons.

“In my opinion, pluralism is better than a one-party system, but it should be based on the Yemeni people’s beliefs, which are mainly Islam,” Sheik Abdullah ibn Hussein Ahmar, was quoted Monday as saying in the Emirates newspaper Al Ittihad.

Tribesmen will continue to carry weapons because “we consider them part of our tradition,” he said.

Yemen and South Yemen last November agreed to a political merger and reforms including the right to form political parties when the two states finally unite.