( CNN ) -- The top general in the Yemeni opposition says he rejects a new proposal that would allow the country 's embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh to remain in power until a new leader is found . `` The general public in Yemen is seeking a transfer of power to the vice president , '' Gen. Ali Mohsen al-Ahmer said in an exclusive interview with CNN . `` This is a principle that we must follow because there are agreements that sides have signed and it is compulsory that all sides agree on its specifics ; not change its points . '' Ahmer , a leading Yemeni military leader who defected to the opposition in March , told CNN that the Yemeni people want full implementation of an agreement written by the Gulf Cooperation Council that would push out Saleh and hold elections for a new government . Ahmer also called for the United States , the European Union and the GCC to pressure Saleh to step down . `` Our friends the Americans and the Europeans and the British and the GCC and Saudi Arabia are guarantors for its implementation , '' Ahmer said of the power transfer plan . Yemen has been consumed by unrest for months as protesters have demanded an end to Saleh 's rule . And Ahmer 's stance is likely to harden its political stalemate . Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansoor Hadi is the acting leader of Yemen in the absence of Saleh , who was wounded in a June 3 assassination attempt and is getting treatment in Saudi Arabia . Saleh has said he intends to return . Under the Gulf Cooperation Council plan , Saleh would have given up power to a transitional government after 30 days . But in May , after four members of his ruling party signed the deal , he refused -- saying he would not leave the country to sign the deal because he feared a coup , according to a senior official of his ruling General People 's Congress party . According to Ahmer , Hadi can make significant changes in Yemen even though he holds the title of acting president . Ahmer spoke highly of Hadi , referring to him as `` our brother the vice president '' and calling him wise . He said `` all sides agree on him and all respect him '' to head the interim leadership that would oversee elections for a new government . `` In truth , he does not act with full authority as president of the Republic of Yemen , but in the future , he will practice his full authority , '' Ahmer said . However , officials loyal to Saleh insist that he has to oversee any transition for it to be legitimate . In recent weeks , government troops have battled both anti-government tribal forces and Islamic militants , including al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula . Asked what steps are being taken to avoid further escalation of the conflict , Ahmer said the opposition wants the United States to play a role `` because they are guarantors in this initiative . '' `` The people must help with these peaceful demands -- whether friends or neighbors -- to help Yemen pass to safe waters , '' Ahmer said . CNN 's Greg Botelho and Tom Cohen contributed to this report .
Gen. Ahmer speaks to CNN in an exclusive interview . The United States must help implement a transition of power , Ahmer says . Vice President Hadi is `` wise '' and `` our brother , '' Ahmer says .