Saleh Will not Travel to Saudi Arabia

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

Sana'a, Apr 30, 2011- Yemen's ruling party said on Saturday that President Ali Abdullah Saleh he will not sign the GCC initiative, but will send his political adviser, Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Eriani in favor of him to sign.

The ruling General People Congress party's mentioned in a statement that Al-Eriani will head the delegation to Riyadh.

The statement confirmed time that President Saleh will not attend the ceremony.

The speaksman of the opposition coalition, the Joint Meeting Parties, JMP, Mohamed Kahtan said that president Saleh himself should sign in the GCC initiative.

Meanwhile, the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) arrived in Sana'a Saturday ahead of the signing of a power transition deal that aims at ending the unrest that gripped the country for over two months.

Under the deal, President Ali Abdullah Saleh, his aides and family would be guaranteed immunity from prosecution. Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years, would also remain on as head of the ruling party.

A transfer of power to his vice president would take place within 30 days of the signing, followed by presidential elections within two months and the formation of a unity government.

The GCC head Abdullatif al- Zayani will invite representatives of the Yemeni government and opposition for the signing ceremony provisionally scheduled for Monday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.