President Says He Will Not Seek New Term

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, leader of Yemen since 1978, said he would not run in next year’s elections, and he urged political parties to nominate “young blood” to lead the country.

Saleh said he would remain in office until the September 2006 elections. He did not give a specific reason for stepping down.

“We want to establish a model for peaceful handover of power,” Saleh said during a meeting with political parties and diplomats.

Some in the opposition were skeptical of Saleh’s announcement, suggesting it was a ploy to spark calls for him to stay in the race or to pave the way for his son to take power.