United Nations: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has
welcomed the transition of power in Yemen, saying all sides
should now honour their commitments to immediately bring to an
end all violence and refrain from further provocations.
The political settlement agreement, signed by President
Ali Abdullah Saleh, was an "important step for the people of
Yemen in moving their country forward towards a better
future," Ban`s spokesperson said in a statement.
In the deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council,
Saleh handed over power to his vice-president Abdrabuh Mansur
Hadi, bringing to an end his 33-year-old rule in Yemen.
Ban said the people of Yemen have endured "great suffering
and hardships" and called on all sides to "honour their
commitments made in the agreement in good faith".
He said the agreement`s success depended on its full
implementation.
The UN Secretary General said Yemeni authorities should
ensure all violence in the country is brought to an immediate
end and they should refrain from any further provocations,
working towards a fully inclusive transition process that
meets the legitimate demands of the Yemeni people.
Under the agreement, presidential elections will be staged
within 90 days.
Ban acknowledged Saleh`s commitment to enable the
transition process to begin and noted the constructive roles
played by Hadi, the GCC, members of the Security Council and
the European Union in promoting a peaceful transition.
He said the UN is "fully committed" to assisting the
people of Yemen in bringing the transition process to a
successful conclusion.
UN Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar called the
transition of power "an important milestone towards restoring
peace and stability, maintaining national unity and
territorial integrity, and laying the foundation for economic
recovery".
Over the next two years, a government of national unity
will establish a national dialogue to ensure that a broad
section of society takes part in determining Yemen`s future,
with a constitutional review to follow.
"These steps will create a strong basis for a fully
inclusive and participatory transition process, giving civil
society, including the youth and women, a true stake in
Yemen`s future," he said.
"Towards this end, the parties have agreed to engage
immediately with the youth movements in the squares to seek
their support for and active participation in the transition
process".
The agreement follows months of deadly clashes between
supporters and opponents of Saleh and his regime, part of the
Arab Spring movement that has swept the Middle East and North
Africa this year.
PTI
