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Yemen's 32-year president abandons plans for dynasty

Richard Spencer in Cairo

Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's veteran president, has promised not to seek re-election in 2013, becoming the latest Arab leader to try to offer concessions before protests spread out of control.

Mr Saleh, an important if mercurial US ally who has held presidential office since 1978, made his announcement after Yemen's opposition called on its supporters to stage a "day of rage" in major cities today. "I won't seek to extend my presidency for another term or have my son inherit it," he told an emergency session of parliament. "No to hereditary rule and no to life presidency."

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