Anti-government protesters came out onto the streets of Sanaa to celebrate the departure of Yemen's ousted president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, on Sunday.
According the Yemeni government's spokesperson, Muhammad Albasha, Saleh was travelling to New York for medical treatment, with a possible detour via Oman.
Amidst the calls to prosecute the former president for alleged violations of human rights, the US State Department was sure to stipulate the precise nature of Saleh's visit.
In a statement, the US State Department, said,
“the sole purpose of this travel is for medical treatment and we expect that he will stay for a limited time that corresponds to the duration of this treatment.”
In November, Saleh, signed an agreement relinquishing power to his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi, with immediate effect.
The agreement, facilitated by Saudi Arabia and supported by the US, will signal the end of Saleh's 33 year rule of Yemen, following months of protests.
The agreement allowed Saleh many face-saving measures, including the retention of his title and certain privileges until new elections are held next month. It also granted him immunity from prosecution, however protesters have demanded that he faces justice.
