SANA'A: Former Yemen president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to western diplomats has demanded $50 million by the international community in order to leave the country for the UAE and allow President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi to rule unhindered. Some diplomats hinted that Saleh was playing for time, knowing that it was unlikely the UAE or the international community would consent to such extortion. Rumors of an imminent departure of the veteran politician have circulated in the media, with officials claiming that President Hadi had made an agreement with Ethiopia to host Saleh for the next two years, with guarantees that he would receive adequate protection. About two months ago, the UAE offered former president Saleh a safe haven, wanting to help move Yemen way from its political deadlock and military arm wrestling game. Russia later on jumped on the “hosting” wagon, saying it would receive Saleh. The GCC countries are said to be eager to “get Saleh out of the way” as they feel his presence is putting the entire transitional period in jeopardy with analysts warning that famine and widespread insecurity could turn Yemen into the next Somalia, and destabilizing the entire region. Earlier this week, reports said Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi had handed the Ethiopian government a written approval of Yemen's President Abdrabu Mansour Hadi for the African country to host Saleh. Ethiopia demanded the written approval of Hadi, reports said. The ten countries sponsoring the deal including the GCC, the US, EU have been exercising pressure on Saleh to stop meddling, and his relatives, especially senior military commanders, to respect presidential decrees replacing them.
