Saleh Apologizes in Farewell Speech to Yemen

Outgoing Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh gave a farewell speech before preparing to leave the country. Gathered around by senior political, military and security officials, “I appeal to you to forgive my past mistakes,” Saleh said, ”today, I leave the country in your hands.” An aide who attended the meeting quoted Saleh as saying, “I am leaving this good country, today. I want to bid you farewell from this place. I thank each one of you and offer my apology to the people and ask for forgiveness.” Saleh is expected to stop in Oman before finally arriving in the U.S. for medical treatment. The U.S. is still searching for a country in which Saleh can live in exile, as it does not want him residing in the U.S.. Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is set to replace Saleh as president.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni parliament officially passed an amended immunity law that applies to Saleh and all actions he took during his 33 year rule. The original draft of the law, which included immunity for all officials who were acting under Saleh’s orders, was amended to only excuse “politically motivated” acts of violence, but does no longer protect them from “terrorist acts.” Thousands of opposition members protested the passing of the bill, questioning its legality. One member said, ”The parliament has no legitimacy and (instead) we are holding on to international law.”