(CNN) -- Yemeni officials on Tuesday downplayed rumors that next month's presidential elections in Yemen would be delayed, the same day U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faulted the Yemeni president for failing to fulfill his commitment to leave the country. Any delay in the elections are unacceptable by all standards, senior officials in Vice President Abdurabu Hadi's office said. The statement comes after Yemen's foreign minister hinted that presidential elections could be delayed due to the rising tension in the country. "I am among those who hope that (the presidential election) will take place in the planned manner," Abubakr al-Qirbi said in an interview on al-Arabiya TV on Tuesday. "But unfortunately, there are a couple of events relating to security, and if they are not solved ... it will be difficult to run the elections on February 21."
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NEW: Clinton says the Yemeni president has "failed to comply with his own commitments"
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The foreign minister had hinted at an election delay
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Some accuse President Saleh of delaying power transfer
@placeholder is expected to win the country's February 21 elections.
Qirbi's announcement also raised fears within opposition groups that President @placeholder is again using tactics to stay in power.