... Saleh initially took power as a strongman of North Yemen in 1977, when disco was in flower, but he didn't invite Donna Summer to the inauguration and Blondie couldn't make it...Bulldozers were seen removing sand berms thrown up by the pro-Saleh Central Security service at the Asser roundabout, under the supervision of members of the joint commission formed by the new opposition-led government, an AFP correspondent reported.
The neighbourhood was scene to frequent festivities between Saleh loyalists and demonstrators marching from the nearby Change Square -- the focal point of anti-Saleh protests, which was protected by the dissident First Armoured Division led by General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar.
"We have received orders to withdraw from this area following the instructions of the military commission," said an officer of the division at Sitin Street as his troops cleared the area.
The national unity government overseeing the departure from office of long-serving Saleh formed the commission to restore stability under the terms of a transition deal.
The commission is led by Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who has been charged with managing the transfer of power and designated to serve as a consensus president following Saleh's departure, expected in February.
The military commission will also aim to reform the security services, controlled partly by Saleh loyalists, in accordance with the transition deal signed by Saleh in November after more than 10 months of protests against his 33-year rule.
Violence in Yemen has continued since the agreement was inked, notably in Sanaa and in the second city of Taez, where festivities between loyalist troops and dissidents have left dozens dead.