Yemen president says will leave power 'in coming days'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 October 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Yemen president says will leave power 'in coming days', 8 October 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e9ea79bc.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 08, 2011
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has said he will step down from office.
Saleh made his remarks in a speech delivered on state television.
"I reject power and I will leave it in the coming days and leave it behind, but there are men who will hold power, there are men who have been honest to God, civilian or military, and they will take control of the country," Saleh said.
For the past nine months, Yemen has been largely paralysed by protests against Saleh's 33-year rule.
It's not the first time Saleh has expressed a willingness to step down amid the protests, and he has backed out of previous deals that would see him give up power.
Saleh has been under international pressure to resign and allow new elections. He has been clinging to power while opposition and ruling party representatives have been negotiating to see through a transition-of-power deal.
Saleh recently returned to his country from Saudi Arabia, where he received medical treatment for wounds suffered in a rocket attack on his presidential compound in June.
compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
