A United Nations envoy to Yemen says negotiators have reached an agreement on a plan that calls for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down in a bid to end the country's political crisis.

Jamal bin Omar said Tuesday that political leaders involved in talks had agreed to an initiative from the Gulf Cooperation Council. The initiative calls for Mr. Saleh to transfer power to a deputy. The transfer would be followed by early elections.

Mr. Saleh initially agreed to the GCC plan on three previous occasions but then refused to sign the deal.

However, Bin Omar said Tuesday that negotiators were discussing arrangements for a signing ceremony. Media reports said he would provide details later in the day.

Also Tuesday, Yemeni security officials said unidentified gunmen kidnapped a French woman and two Yemenis working for the International Committee of the Red Cross, as they were traveling in the restive south.

The officials said the kidnappers are demanding the release of prisoners held by Yemeni authorities.

Also Tuesday military officials said at least 14 suspected al-Qaida militants were killed in clashes with Yemeni soldiers backed by tribesmen. They say the fighting erupted late Monday in the southern Abyan province and continued into Tuesday.

For more than 10 months, protesters have been demanding an end to Mr. Saleh's 33-year rule. The president's supporters have frequently held counter rallies.

Al-Qaida-linked militants have been trying to gain a stronghold in southern Yemen as the president battles unrest linked to anti-government protests.