Islamic Awakening: Yemenis rally against Saleh immunity

Thousands of Yemenis have demonstrated against the law granting immunity to the country’s dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, holding him responsible for the killing of hundreds of anti-government protesters.

Marking the first anniversary of anti-government demonstrations, inspired by the Islamic Awakening, thousands of Yemenis took to the streets in several cities, including Sana’a, Taizz and Ibb, to demand the prosecution of Saleh.

They also shouted slogans against the country’s so-called unity government and those they call corrupt lawmakers.

There were no reports of clashes between protesters and forces loyal to Saleh. Similar anti-Saleh protests are often brutally suppressed by government forces.

Saleh, who has been in power for 33 years, signed the power transition deal brokered by Persian Gulf Arab states in Saudi Arabia on November 23 and resigned as president in return for amnesty.

Since then, Yemenis have been holding almost daily protests, condemning the US-backed deal which has granted Saleh and his family immunity from prosecution. The amnesty also covers Saleh’s three-decade long rule and extends to anyone who has worked in government.

Saleh currently serves as an honorary president until polls are held in February to elect his successor.

Hundreds of Yemenis have been killed and thousands more wounded in clashes between Saleh forces and revolutionaries since the start of the popular uprising in the impoverished Arab nation in late January.