Yemen’s Saleh finally signs deal to quit power

By Rizwan Khatik - Thu Nov 24, 6:58 am

Yemen’s autocratic president agreed to step down after months of demonstrations against his 33-year rule.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s decision yesterday pleased the US and its Gulf allies who feared that collapsing security in the impoverished nation was allowing an active al-Qaeda franchise to step up operations.

Saleh promised “real partnership” with the opposition in implementing the Gulf- and UN-brokered agreement, and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who hosted the signing ceremony at his Al-Yamama palace in Riyadh, hailed a “new page” for the impoverished neighbouring country.

But thousands of demonstrators again to took the streets of the Yemeni capital Sanaa to protest against the deal’s promise of immunity from prosecution for both Saleh and his family.

A spokesman said they rejected the agreement signed in Riyadh. The organising committee of youth protesters said the Gulf-brokered deal “does not concern” protesters, Walid al-Amari told AFP.