US said on Wednesday that President-for-Life Ali Abdullah Saleh... 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...
is still the legitimate President of Yemen and that he will enjoy the treatment of a head of state.
"Saleh is still the legitimate Yemeni President and he enjoys full immunity like any other leader until his successor officially comes in office," Victoria Noland, US Secretary of State's spokesperson, replied to a question posed by a journalist about whether Saleh would have a treatment as a head of state.
Washington pressed Saleh into signing the GCC crafted deal, under which he transferred all his executive powers to Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, the sole candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections due to take place on February21, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
Saleh is a vital ally in the region of Washington in its war against terrorism.
American officials have asked Saleh not to seek asylum in US, saying they will only accept his offer for medical treatment, according to American news agencies.
Sultanate of Oman announced that Saleh left Musket On Wednesday for USA and that during his 4 days visit in the country he has not met with any Omani official.
Saleh sought asylum in Oman but his Gulf neighbor was still hesitant regarding his offer for fear that would be detrimental to any future relationship with Yemen, Rooters reported citing unidentified diplomats.
The outgoing President has left Yemen for USA for further medical treatment from wounds sustained in an liquidation attempt early in June.
Saleh exhausted every trick in the book to cling to power before realizing and was over for him and singing the GCC brokered deal.