UNSC Calls On Yemeni President To Step Down

United Nations, Oct 22: The powerful UN Security Council today called on Yemen’s embattled president Ali Abdullah Saleh to quit as it demanded he immediately end attacks by security forces on peaceful protesters seeking political reforms in the country.

In an unanimous resolution, the 15-member UN Security Council including India, called on Saleh to step down and transfer power to his deputy as it condemned human rights violations by security forces.

The resolution, which comes days after Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi was killed, stresses that Gulf Cooperation Council’s initiative should be implemented that calls for the president to transfer power to his vice-president followed by the formation of an interim government, a new constitution and elections.

This is “essential for an inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led process of political transition.” Condemning human rights violations and the excessive use of force by the Yemeni authorities against peaceful protesters in the country’s eight-month uprising, the Security Council said all sides should quickly implement a regional plan for an orderly transition of power.

From: http://ping.fm/UVSK5