Russia urges Yemen to abandon violence

Russia's Foreign Ministry has urged the government and opposition forces in Yemen to give up violence and start negotiations. At least 26 people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital, Sanaa, on Sunday, eyewitnesses said. The attack was one of the deadliest since protests against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh began in February. "Given the new spark of confrontation in the Republic of Yemen, we call on all the parties to stop the violence pushing the country into an abyss of armed confrontation," the Foreign Ministry's statement read. The ministry said the only solution would be direct dialogue between the authorities and the opposition.