United Nations: Yemen`s President Ali
Abdullah Saleh will seek medical treatment in New York after
signing a deal which effectively ended his 33-year rule, UN
leader Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.
"He told me clearly that he will hand over all powers,"
Ban told reporters at the UN headquarters as Saleh signed an
exit deal in the Saudi capital.
"He told me that he would come to New York after signing
the agreement to have medical treatment," Ban added, giving
details of a telephone conversation yesterday.
"If he comes to New York I will be happy to meet him,"
the UN secretary general added, saying he was "encouraged by
the positive development of the situation in Yemen."
The UN Security Council is to discuss Monday and UN envoy
Jamal Benomar will brief the 15 members on the latest events
in Yemen, where protests have continued demanding that Saleh
face trial.
Ban said that he had telephoned Saleh and "strongly
urged" the president, who has been the target of opposition
protests since January, to sign the exit plan brokered by the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Ban said the controversial question of immunity from
prosecution promised by the GCC was not discussed.
Under the GCC plan, Saleh will remain honorary president
for 90 days after handing over his powers to Vice President
Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to organise an interim government and
elections.
PTI
