Military

Yemeni President Will Not Seek New Term

VOA News February 02, 2011

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced he will not seek another term in office, as opposition groups prepared to renew protests calling for an end to his decades-old rule.

Mr. Saleh told Yemen's parliament Wednesday he will not try to extend his presidency when his current term runs out in 2013, and will not hand power to his son.

Opposition groups have called for "day of rage" protests on Thursday, continuing a string of rallies that activists have said were inspired by demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt.

In his address Wednesday, Mr. Saleh called for a halt to all planned protests. He also told lawmakers to freeze a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek another term.

Last week, at least 10,000 demonstrators gathered at Sana'a University and about 6,000 elsewhere in the capital for rallies against the government.

Mr. Saleh has been in power for more than 30 years. He has proposed raising salaries for civil workers and the military in the wake of the protests. He has also ordered income taxes cut in half and has instructed his government to install price controls.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.