In a statement at the end of its meeting, headed by
King of the Arabians, Sheikh of the Burning Sands Abdullah... Fifth out of 37 sons of King Abdulaziz to ascend to the throne. He is, after his half-brothers Bandar and Musa'id, the third eldest of the living sons of Abdul Aziz ibn Saud. Abdullah's mother is from the Rashid clan, longtime rivals of the Saud. He has 6 sons and 15 daughters and about $20 billion. His youngest son is just seven years old...
, the Council stressed the importance of the power transfer deal to put an end to Yemen's problems, they said. The deal was signed in November after months of turmoil in Yemen.
The statement coincided with a strongly worded warning from the countries backing the deal including the GCC, the US and others to ex-president Saleh and his loyalists that international sanctions will be imposed against them if they hinder the deal and the UN resolution 2014.
Under the deal, Saleh was given full immunity from prosecution and his aides were given immunity but not from terrorist crimes.
The Saudi al-Madina newspaper quoted a diplomat who was not named, as saying the warning came after half-brother of Saleh resisted a decree by Hadi sacking him from his post as the commander of the Air Force, and reappointing him as an advisor to the Defense Minister.
Some senior commanders in the armed and security forces are still relatives of Saleh and those who are very loyal to him including his son, Ahmed, the commander of the elite republican guard.
After he was removed, Saleh's half-brother, Muhammad Saleh, refused to hand over the post to his successor and his supporters surrounded Sanaa International Airport threatening to shoot down any leaving or incoming planes. The airport suspended all flights on Saturday and reopened the next day.
Other commanders were also reported to have resisted Hadi's decrees, which come within reforms in the army.
Since he took office, Hadi has also fired other bigwigs in civil offices, known as very loyal to Saleh.
All decrees have been applauded by the Yemeni people and other countries, especially those sponsoring the power transfer deal.