Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday he would leave power in the coming days, the closest the veteran leader has come to announcing he plans to step down after nine months of mass protests against his 33-year rule.
“I reject power and I will continue to reject it, and I will be leaving power in the coming days,” Mr Saleh said in a speech on state television.
Mr Saleh has been clinging to his position while Opposition and ruling party representatives cast about for a formula to see through a transition-of-power deal.
“I call on my supporters to persevere and to confront any challenge,” he said.
Protests against Mr Saleh’s rule have paralysed Yemen.
— Reuters