Saleh hands power to new president
Feb. 27 - Ali Abdullah Saleh hands over power to new Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in Sanaa ceremony. Jessica Gray reports.
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Ali Abdallah Saleh hands over the presidency to his successor at a ceremony in Sanaa. New President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi said he hoped to herald a new era of peace. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) NEW YEMENI PRESIDENT ABDRABBO MANSOR HADI SAYING: "Today we are laying a new base for the peaceful transfer of power. This rule, which we hope to continue in this way, is a demand of the Yemeni people." Saleh said he supported Hadi's election win in polls last week. SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FORMER YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLA SALEH SAYING: "We will stand to support the President of the Republic in order to rebuild the legacy of the crisis." The ceremony was the culmination of months of negotiations with Gulf states and opposition parties for Saleh to step down after a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters. Dealing with Saleh's 33-year legacy, which includes ongoing unrest in the north and south, embedded al Qaeda operatives and a tanking economy, will prove challenging for Hadi. But he has promised to meet the obstacles head on and unify the country. Jessica Gray, Reuters