Yemen 's parliament approved a controversial law Saturday that ensures President Ali Abdullah Saleh complete immunity from prosecution . The law was delayed for weeks as Saleh insisted on specific changes guaranteeing his aides partial protection from legal actions . In return , Saleh will step down from power in Yemen next month after ruling the country for more than 33 years . Yemeni Information Minister Ali al-Amrani said the law was the best option for the country and that people can now look forward for change and development . `` The law was a pivotal point of debate , and now we are looking forward to February 21 ( when ) a president would lead the country , '' al-Amrani said . `` Many changes took place in the law to make it accepted by all factions , but in the end , the efforts were worth it , '' he added . During the same session , the parliament also accepted Vice President Abdurabu Hadi 's nomination for presidency . The vice president 's office hailed the move and called it a success after long negotiations over the past week . The immunity law was always linked with parliament accepting Hadi 's nomination for president . Saleh supporters refuse to pass Hadi 's nomination until the immunity law passed . The immunity law was a key element in a Gulf Cooperation Council power transfer deal . Since the president signed the power transfer deal in November , tens of thousands of young activists have marched in provinces across Yemen . They have vowed to have Saleh tried for the deaths of hundreds of unarmed protesters . The United Nations ' envoy to Yemen , Jamal Benomar , arrived in the country last week to ease the tension after fears grew that the deal would collapse . Though the deal was hailed by opposition parties in Yemen , youth protesters and international rights groups called the immunity a violation of international law . Youth protesters continued marching on Saturday , rejecting any immunity for Saleh or those who served under him over the last three decades . Protests took place in 13 provinces across Yemen , according to the Revolution Youth Organizing Committee . The largest protests took place in Sanaa , where many continued pushing for Saleh 's prosecution . `` He killed many , and now the opposition wants to forgive him , '' said Salma al-Nusari , a youth activist in Sanaa . Blood that Saleh spilt will not be forgiven , and we will continue demanding his prosecution until our demands are met . '' Presidential elections are expected to take place February 21 .
Protests take place in 13 provinces Saturday , an organizing committee says . The protests are the latest sign of growing discontent with China's Communist Party and its authoritarian leader Xi Jinping. Saleh `` killed many , and now the opposition wants to forgive him '' Ali Abdullah Saleh will step down from power in exchange for immunity . Yemen 's parliament also accepts Vice President Hadi 's presidential nomination .