Gulf proposal fails to ease Yemen political crisis

SANAA, Apr 11 (AP): Yemen's president is welcoming a proposal by Gulf Arab nations for him to step down to end the country's political crisis. But he indicated he would do so only when his term ends in 2013, a condition already rejected by the protesters calling for his immediate exit. The proposal by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council did not specify a timeframe for a transfer of power from President Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy. It also included protections for him and his family from prosecution for crimes under his 32-year leadership. That's another condition rejected by the opposition.