Yemeni anger
January 22, 2012
Thousands of Yemenis on Sunday gathered to demand the execution of outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh over the deaths of protesters during a popular uprising.
"It is our duty... to execute the butcher," chanted crowds in the capital Sanaa's Change Square, news agency AFP reported.
The demonstrators were reacting to a law adopted by the country’s parliament on Saturday which grants Saleh "complete" immunity from prosecution, with partial immunity for his aides.
The legislation was part of a deal, brokered by the country’s Gulf neighbors and backed by the United States, to persuade the president to stand down. However, protesters have questioned the legitimacy of the parliament and its right to approve legislation.
"We are not bound by the immunity law," said Mani al-Matari, a leader of a committee set up by youths who led protests against Saleh last year. "We will continue protesting until all of the revolution's goals are achieved... The parliament has no legitimacy."
The immunity law leaves Saleh’s aides vulnerable to prosecution for crimes considered to be "terrorist acts." However, it gives them immunity for "politically motivated" crimes committed in the course of their duties.
Although Saleh left the country Sunday, according to his spokesman, many opponents fear his followers will try to retain power.
Air force runway protest
At the capital's airport, members of the Yemeni air force occupied a runway demanding the resignation of their commander, Saleh's half-brother, whom they accuse of corruption.
Meanwhile, state media has published a farewell speech in which Saleh asked his people for forgiveness.
"I will go to the United States for treatment and will then return as head of the (ruling) General People's Congress party," the Saba news agency quoted him as saying.
"I ask for forgiveness from all my people, men and women, for any shortcomings during my 33-year-long rule," he added.
News agency AP quoted presidential aides as saying that had appointed Yemeni Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to be his replacement.
In the southern town of Radaa, at least two suspected Al-Qaeda fighters were reported killed on Sunday in clashes with Yemeni troops.
Author: Richard Connor (AP, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Kyle James