The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) has been trying to find a peaceful way of ending the crisis in Yemen. Its most recent proposal was announced on Thursday. Key to any resolution is the fate of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

According to Al-Shorfa, the GCC proposal is as follows: “The new initiative requires Saleh to transfer authority to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi for a transition period lasting two months which would end with new presidential elections. The initiative also includes an end to the sit-ins and the formation of a national unity government. Saleh would select a member of the opposition to lead the cabinet. Under the proposal, half of the new cabinet members would be from the ruling General Congress Party, 40% from the opposition and 10% from other parties. The GCC plan guarantees immunity for Saleh, his family and his aides through creation of an amnesty law.”

According to Almotamar the ruling General People’s Congress (GPC) party has accepted the deal. There are wire reports that the opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) has also accepted the proposal. Previously, they had wanted President Saleh to resign before agreeing to a deal. If the JMP has changed its position, then the ball is firmly in President Saleh’s court. For his part, Almotamar quotes President Saleh as saying that he will step down if a majority want him to do so. This is not being taken as a very positive reaction to the initiative. Meanwhile protests continue.