Yemen's president, opposition to sign GCC deal
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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) prepared to hold the signing ceremony of the GCC deal in Sanaa instead of Saudi's capital Riyadh, in order to solve the political crisis in the country, the Yemeni Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
On its website, the ministry said it learned from Yemeni officials that President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has faced three- month long protests demanding immediate end to his 33-year rule, is expected to sign the deal after representatives of his ruling party and opposition ink it in Sanaa.
The ministry added that after Saleh puts his signature, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also rotating president of the GCC, would then approve the GCC power-transition deal.
The ministry did not reveal the scheduled date of the signing ceremony.
Meanwhile, the ruling party, General People Congress (GPC), said on Thursday that they have sent the names of their representatives to GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid al- Zayani.
Officials of the opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) were not available to comment.
Last Saturday, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid al- Zayani failed to persuade Saleh to sign the GCC plan during his visit to Sanaa. The latter proposed to hold the signing ceremony in Sanaa, under which he will sign it on behalf of GPC, according to the ruling party's spokesman.
Opposition officials said Saleh's refusal violated the terms of the GCC initiative.
Under the GCC deal, Saleh should leave office within 30 days after signing the deal in exchange for immunity from prosecution, and the new government, formed by the opposition within seven days, should arrange presidential and parliamentary elections in 60 days.
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