Yemen's Saleh hands over power

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has signed an agreement to transfer power to his vice president.

Mr Saleh was shown on Arabic satellite television stations signing a proposal by his powerful Gulf Arab neighbours to end his country’s nine-month old uprising.

A smiling Mr Saleh sat next to Saudi King Abdullah in the Saudi capital Riyadh as he signed four copies of the proposal. He then clapped briefly.

The plan calls for a power transfer to Mr Saleh’s vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, within 30 days and early presidential elections within 90 days of the signing. It also calls for a two-year transition period.

The deal gives Saleh immunity from prosecution.