GCC chief arrives in Yemen to resume power-transition deal

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani arrived in Yemeni capital Sanaa on Saturday to resume GCC-brokered deal to end deadlock between Yemeni president and opposition, official Saba news agency reported.

"The aim of my visit is to push the process of conciliation talk with all Yemeni political parties, hoping all of them return to the GCC deal for the sake of Yemen's security, stability and unity," al-Zayani was quoted by Saba as saying.

"The Yemeni political crisis has been priority of the GCC countries ... and our efforts will continue until reaching a solution that satisfies all Yemeni sides," al-Zayani said.

The GCC initiative stipulated that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh would leave office within 30 days after signing the deal in exchange for immunity from prosecution, and the new government, formed by the opposition within seven days, should arrange the presidential and parliamentary elections in 60 days.

But that step stalled after Saleh refused to sign the deal on April 30.

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