Yemeni security sources say a bomb blast in the country's south has killed an army colonel, as Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbors are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss the nation's political fate.

Officials said Tuesday the explosion tore threw the car of Colonel Muti'a al-Sayani while he was driving Monday in Burayqa, near the southern port of Aden.

News of the attack comes as members of the Gulf Cooperation Council say they plan to make the situation in Yemen their top priority as they meet in Saudi Arabia Tuesday.

On Monday, Yemen's political opposition held talks with the country's acting leader while Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is in Saudi Arabia recovering from wounds suffered in an attack more than a week ago.

The Associated Press says Vice President Abd al-Rab Mansur Hadi and opposition leaders worked out a framework for discussions on a transition of power.

Mr. Saleh is recovering in a Saudi hospital from serious injuries he sustained in an explosion at his Yemen presidential compound in early June.

In his absence, anti-government activists have renewed calls to start the process of setting up a transitional government council. Opponents have been calling on Mr. Saleh to leave office immediately.

Peace talks have stalled for months as Mr. Saleh rejected several overtures from Gulf neighbors to unlock the political impasse.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Monday the U.S. would like to see a dialogue between the opposition and Yemen's government. He added that continuing the “status quo” in Mr. Saleh's absence is creating a “security vacuum.”