Yemen's Saleh rejects UN sanctions, party abandons govt

Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh has rejected UN Security Council sanctions imposed on him for obstructing peace, and his party walked out of the newly formed cabinet.
The UN sanctions, including a visa ban and asset freezing, are "rejected," Saleh told members of his General People's Congress yesterday, a day after the US-proposed measures were adopted.
The GPC, meanwhile, said it was not consulted in forming the long-awaited cabinet, and urged party nominees to turn down their assigned ministries.
The GPC is also the party of current President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, so it remains to be seen how party members will react.

Earlier the GPC's central committee dismissed Hadi from his posts as vice president and secretary general of the party, accusing him of soliciting the UN sanctions against Saleh and two Shiite rebel commanders.
Saleh said he was willing to give up the amnesty he earned when he stepped down in February 2012 following nationwide protests, and to face Yemeni justice.
"Find any (corruption) files, refer them to justice and lift the amnesty. I will be there to appear in court," he said.