Yemen Government, Opposition To Sign Accord

Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh has agreed to hand over power in exchange for immunity from prosecution.

Yemen's government and opposition are to travel to Riyadh on April 27 to sign an agreement brokered by Gulf States to end three months of deadly unrest.

Sultan al-Barakani, the deputy secretary general of Yemen's ruling party, said the government has received an invitation from Saudi Arabia to sign the agreement in Riyadh.

Mohammed Salem Bassindwa, head of the opposition's national dialogue council, said a delegation from his group would also go to Riyadh on April 27 to sign the agreement.

Barakani said the ambassadors of the United States, European Union members, Gulf States and UN representative will witness the signing.

The six-nation Gulf States had proposed the formation of a government of national unity in Yemen.

On April 23, President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to transfer power to his vice president within 30 days of a deal being signed in exchange for immunity from prosecution for him and his sons.

compiled from agency reports