U.S. is "deeply concerned" about recent violence in Yemen and strongly condemned these "troubling
actions", said U.S. State Department Mark Toner on Thursday.
"We call on the Yemeni security forces to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence, and respect the rights of the Yemeni people to freely and peacefully assemble and express their views," he said in a statement.
He said the U.S. commends the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to broker a power transfer agreement for Yemen.
He called on the parties in Yemen to sign and implement the terms of the agreement now to ensure an "orderly, peaceful transition of power."
"This transition must begin immediately in order for the Yemeni people to realize their aspirations for a brighter, more prosperous and democratic future," he said.
At least 19 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured when Yemeni security forces opened fire to disperse the protesters in
Yemen's capital city and provinces on Wednesday, said witnesses and doctors.
The GCC initiative stipulated that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh should leave office within 30 days after signing the deal in exchange for immunity from prosecution, and the new government, which is to be formed by the opposition within seven days, should arrange the presidential and parliamentary elections in 60 days.
So far the deal has not been signed yet. On Sunday, the opposition gave President Saleh two days to sign the GCC deal or they would leave Saleh to face "the people's choice."
The GCC chief Abdullatif al-Zayani is due to head for Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday to try to resume talks between Yemen's president and
opposition over a peaceful power transition.