Yemen President to Quit? Saleh, Ahmar Resign: Who Will Take Over?

by NowPublic Staff | March 24, 2011 at 02:03 pm

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There are reports that the President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar are days away from quitting their posts.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Saleh and Ahmar are working on a plan to step down and set up a transitional government. It is believed that Ali Abdullah Saleh and General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar are resigning in order to ensure a peaceful transition and avoid civil unrest.

Ali Abdullah Saleh and General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar have ruled Yemen for the last 32 years. They join Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak as long-time Middle East leaders who have been forced to step down due to protests.

Who Will Take Over in Yemen?

At this point, it's hard to say.

The support for mainstream opposition party leaders is unclear across the rugged and largely conservative country. Meanwhile, traditional tribal leaders who have great social standing would face problems exerting authority over rival tribes.