Yemen’s Leader Authorizes Power Transfer Talks

Posted September 12th, 2011 at 11:32 am (UTC-5)
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Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has authorized his deputy to begin talks with the opposition in an effort to put an end to a months-long political crisis.

The state news agency SABA said Monday Mr. Saleh has given Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi the necessary constitutional authority to sign off on a Gulf Cooperation Council plan for the transfer of power.

The latest plan calls for Mr. Saleh to hand power to a deputy and allow a coalition to form a national unity government.

The six-nation GCC initially proposed its plan in April in an effort to end months of anti-government protests in Yemen. Mr. Saleh agreed to the proposal three times, but each time backed out before the deal could be signed.

Mr. Saleh remains in Saudi Arabia, recovering from injuries sustained during a June attack on his presidential compound in Sana'a. He has not returned to Yemen since seeking medical care in Saudi Arabia.