Yemen leader signs 'deal on relinquishing power'

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has sign a deal under which he will step down.

Reports say under the agreement, brokered by Yemen's six Gulf Arab neighbours, Mr Saleh is to transfer his powers to his deputy ahead of an early election.

The president has been facing protests since the beginning of the year.

He has come close to signing a deal several times in the past, only to pull out at the last minute.

Mr Saleh returned to Yemen unexpectedly from Saudi Arabia two months ago, after surviving an attack on his compound in June.

Damage

The government crackdown has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.

At least five provinces are reported to have gone out of government control and what began as peaceful protests against President Saleh - who has been in power since 1978 - has increasingly degenerated into armed conflict involving different tribes and militias.

BBC/Adekusibe/Ekata