WASHINGTON - The White House on Friday urged Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to arrange for presidential elections and a handover of power before the end of the year.

Citing current instability, White House spokesman Jay Carney said, "We urge President Saleh to initiate a full transfer of power and arrange for presidential elections to be held before the end of the year."

"The Yemeni people have suffered enough and deserve a path towards a better future," he said.