HEADS OF STATE

Yemen’s Leader Steps Down

Obama praises immunity deal.

There goes another one. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has agreed to step down after 33 years, traveling Wednesday to Saudi Arabia to sign an agreement to make it official. Saleh will immediately transfer his powers to his vice president, although he will retain his title until new elections take place in three months. He will also receive immunity from future prosecution. Opposition leaders traveled to Saudi Arabia later Wednesday to participate in the deal as well. The agreement was signed and broadcast live on Saudi state TV. President Obama praised the newly brokered deal, saying in a statement, "Today's agreement brings them a significant step closer to realizing their aspirations for a new beginning in Yemen."