Yemen’s Saleh Will Not Run For Re-Election

MSNBC: Yemen’s president: I won’t extend term or pass power to son. U.S.-allied Saleh says he’ll stand down in 2013; ‘day of rage’ protest looms.

SANAA, Yemen — The Yemeni president told parliament Wednesday that he would not seek another term in office or hand power to his son — an apparent reaction to protests in this impoverished nation that have been inspired by Tunisia’s revolt and the turmoil in Egypt.
The U.S.-allied Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for nearly 32 years, spoke to lawmakers in both houses of the assembly on the eve of mass rallies that the opposition has called for Thursday in all Yemeni provinces.
Activists and opposition supporters have staged several protests in the capital Sanaa , boldly asking for Saleh’s removal and decrying reports he plans to install his son in power.