On Wednesday , the 69-year-old ruler signed an agreement in Saudi Arabia transferring executive powers to the country 's vice president , Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi . Yemeni president emerged from powerful tribe to rule his country for the last year . Ali Abdullah Saleh is the first Yemeni leader uprooted by protests in 33 years . Protesters and international groups criticized his violent crackdown on protests . Ali Abdullah Saleh will remain in Saudi Arabia , a presidential source says .
Yemeni president emerged from powerful tribe to rule his country for the last year . Ali Abdullah Saleh is the first Yemeni leader uprooted by protests in 33 years . Protesters and international groups criticized his violent crackdown on protests . Ali Abdullah Saleh will remain in Saudi Arabia , a presidential source says .