Yemen’s Saleh steps down

In November in Yemen, President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the deal to give up control of the government that was brokered by the Arab League. The senior opposition leader, Mohammed Basindwa, was named as interim prime minister, and elections for the new government are scheduled for February 2012.

Saleh had ruled for 33 years, and his government brutally suppressed the opposition movement that began in January 2011. Opposition leaders, while welcoming the removal of Saleh, are refusing to accept the aspect of the deal allowing Saleh immunity from prosecution.