Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh rejected Saturday 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, 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 immunity 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 immunity. I will be there to appear in court," he said.
Saleh is seen as the main backer of Huthi rebels who seized Sanaa in September unopposed, and have since expanded their control to coastal areas and regions south of Sanaa.
Some army troops that remain loyal to Saleh are accused of aiding the rebels.
Saleh urged GPC members to "stand by the military and security forces."
On Friday, Saleh supporters protested alongside rebels in Sanaa denouncing the then planned sanctions that also hit two rebel commanders.
The GPC said the UN decision to penalise Saleh for obstructing the political process is "strange," insisting that the former strongman "stepped down peacefully" for the sake of political compromise.
The UN sanctions, including a visa ban and asset freezing, are "rejected," Saleh told members of his General People's Congress, 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 immunity 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 immunity. I will be there to appear in court," he said.
Saleh is seen as the main backer of Huthi rebels who seized Sanaa in September unopposed, and have since expanded their control to coastal areas and regions south of Sanaa.
Some army troops that remain loyal to Saleh are accused of aiding the rebels.
Saleh urged GPC members to "stand by the military and security forces."
On Friday, Saleh supporters protested alongside rebels in Sanaa denouncing the then planned sanctions that also hit two rebel commanders.
The GPC said the UN decision to penalise Saleh for obstructing the political process is "strange," insisting that the former strongman "stepped down peacefully" for the sake of political compromise.
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