Yemen\'s President Saleh signs Gulf Arab proposal

Saleh seems to have finally signed the Gulf-sponsored plan Sanaa – Khaled Al-Heruggy and Agencies Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has signed a Gulf Arab proposal to transfer power, the Associated Press news agency has reported Saleh earlier confirmed to U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon that he would sign a deal that would ease him from power and head to the United States for medical treatment, Reuters reported.
Saleh was previously forced to seek treatment in Saudi Arabia for injuries suffered in an apparent assassination attempt in June after the last time he ducked out of the deal, which ushered in street battles that devastated parts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
Thousands of anti-government demonstrators are reported to be marching in Yemen's capital Sanaa to express disgust at the deal accepted Ali Abdullah Saleh which basically grants him immunity.
Protestors also regard the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) deal as an inter-regime agreement.
Yemeni television earlier reported that Saleh arrived in Riyadh early Wednesday for the signing of a Gulf-sponsored power-transfer deal.
Under the plan crafted by Yemen's six Gulf Arab neighbours, and the implementation mechanism of the U.N. envoy Jamal Benomar; Saleh will transfer his powers to his deputy, Abd Al-Rahman Mansur Al-Hadi , ahead of an early election, sources in the Yemen’s opposition told 'Arabstoday'.
Saleh’s unannounced visit came after the U.N.’s Yemen envoy said on Tuesday a deal aimed at ending months of political deadlock had been approved both by the opposition and by the president.
However, two of Saleh's key rivals, the renegade general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, and the tribal leader Hamid al-Ahmar, have not agreed to the power transfer deal.
GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif al-Zayani was also expected in Riyadh to attend the signing ceremony.
“All the parties have agreed to implement the GCC initiative,” Benomar told reporters in the capital Sanaa.
However, Al Jazeera's special correspondent in Sanaa said that the opposition has been fragmented and it remained unclear which groups supported the deal.
"In the last hours, there was speculation as to whether the armed groups, rather than political groups, would be in on the signing, quite literally.
"On top of that, you have the students who started the protests, and social activists that are still in Change Square, saying no matter the outcome of it, they will reject the signing because they weren’t involved.
"We also have rumours that people in the president’s own party have been pushing him not to sign it."
The plan put forward last spring by the GCC countries headed by Saudi Arabia offers Saleh and his relatives immunity from prosecution if he hands over power to his deputy Hadi.
Saleh’s continued refusal to sign the initiative has triggered months of political deadlock that has left the government in a state of chaos and the economy in shambles.
The political crisis has also exacerbated tensions on the street where tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have faced a brutal 10-month government crackdown that has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.
The plan submitted by the six-nation GCC will effectively bring an end to Saleh’s 33-year rule.
In it, Saleh’s deputy will call for the forthcoming presidential elections, during a period of time not to exceed 90 days. He will also form the next government, which will consist of the ruling party and opposition parties.
Moreover, Saleh’s deputy will form a committee under his leadership to restructure the military and security. This will be done in two phases: The first phase after formation of the government, and the second after the presidential election. Hadi will be the consensus candidate in this election for two years. During this period, other tasks are to be completed, such as re-structuring the military, preparing the constitution, setting up a national dialogue, and solving problems in southern Yemen. After the parliamentary elections the constitutional referendum and presidential elections will be held.
Sources said this mechanism included terms that make it enforceable upon signature, and cannot be undone. It is expected that Saleh and his deputy to sign the same version of GCC initiative which was signed by the opposition parties last May, at the presence of GCC Secretary General, Abdullatif Al-Zayani.
In addition, the ruling party and opposition parties are required to name their candidates to ministerial portfolios within one week after signing.
The political turmoil in Yemen has seen powerful tribes and army dissidents join opposition parliamentarians and tens of thousands of protesters in their struggle to oust Saleh.