Yemen’s embattled president agreed tonight to a proposal by Gulf Arab mediators to step down within 30 days and hand power to his deputy in exchange for immunity from prosecution, a major about-face for the autocratic leader who has ruled for 32 years.

IRAQ poured scorn on the United Arab Emirates yesterday for urging Saddam Hussein to go into exile, but the small Persian Gulf state pressed on seeking support for the proposal, calling it the only way to avert war.