Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh Sanaa – Khaled Al-Heruggy and Agencies Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived in Riyadh early Wednesday for the signing of a Gulf-sponsored power-transfer deal, official Yemeni television reported. “The president of the republic arrives safely to the airport of Riyadh to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following an invitation from the Saudi leadership, to attend the signing of the Gulf initiative,” a ticker running on the bottom of Yemen TV said.
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.
Ahmed Al-Soufi, the Yemeni President’s press secretary, told Al Arabiya on Tuesday that the final touches were being placed on the initiative, which is scheduled to be signed by Vice President Abd Rabbu Mansour and the opposition leaders, with the attendance of the U.N.’s Yemen envoy Jamal Benomar.
The plan has been approved both by the opposition and by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the same sources confirmed.
Gulf Co-operation Council (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.
Saleh will sign the deal in presence of Al-Zayani and Benomar.
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.