Saleh maintains power in spite of deal

SANAA, Yemen, March 22 (UPI) -- Yemeni officials are expressing outrage at former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's meddling in affairs of state months after agreeing to relinquish his power.

Saleh formally agreed in November of last year to step down from the office of president after his 30-year rule, passing the torch to his deputy. In exchange, he would be granted immunity from prosecution for his crackdown on political protesters.

However, Gulf News reported ever since Abd Rabboo Mansour Hadi was sworn in as president, Saleh has continued to issue decrees and maintain correspondence with other heads of state.

A spokesman of the Joint Meeting Parties, Abd al Galeb al Audaini, said the countries that brokered the Gulf Cooperation Council deal should step in to enforce Saleh's end of the agreement.

"His work as a president of his party shows that his is not committed to his promise. He can't have his cake and eat it too. He can't be a political figure and at the same time have immunity," Audaini said.