YEMEN - July 13 - Parliament Rejects Applications Of 13 Presidential Candidates.

The Parliament accept 50 candidates out of 64 who seek to run for the Presidential elections, scheduled to be held in September. Thirteen applications were declined since they failed to meet the constitutional demands, while one of the applicants withdrew in favour of the ruling party candidate, Pres Ali Abdullah Saleh. "We applied the constitutional laws fiercely", said Abdul Aziz Abdul Gani, chairman of the Shura Council, at a press conference held jointly with members of the presidential panel of the House of Representatives. Abdul Gani said those who were rejected could challenge the ruling to the parliamentary panels. A joint session of the two chambers of parliament will be held on July 26 and 27 for the final approval of the candidates. Each applicant needs to be recommended by at least 21 members of the joint session, which would be attended by around 412 members of the two chambers of parliament [Shura and House of Representatives]. Four applicants are finally expected to be recommended. Candidates who represent parties are: Ali Abdullah Saleh, the ruling People's General Congress (PGC); Faisal Bin Shamlan, the alliance of the five main opposition parties; Yassen Abdu Saeed, the National Council of Opposition [alliance of twelve small parties none of them is represented in parliament]; Abdul Wali Muhammad Al Bahr, the Greens Party. The President is elected by direct, popular vote for a seven-year term. The vice-president, PM and deputy PMs are appointed by the President. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President on the advice of the PM. Pres Ali Abdullah Saleh was elected in 1999.