Yemeni President signs deal to step down

A deal has been signed by Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ensuring that he will step down.

After months of unrest and refusal to sign, Saleh, 69, signed the contract which was negotiated by Yemen’s Gulf Arab neighbours in Riyadh.

The agreement states that his powers will be transferred to his deputy head, Abdrabuh Mansur Hadj, ahead of early elections.

In return, Saleh will be given immunity from prosecution but protesters rallying in Sanaa, Yemeni’s capital, said they disagreed with the deal giving the president immunity.

Hundreds have been left dead while thousands have been wounded in Yemen as a crackdown on anti-government protests ensued.

A national unity government is expected to be formed by Hadj who is also to call for early presidential elections within 90 days.