Saleh Departs

Ali Abdullah Saleh has probably finally lost power, as he heads to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment:

"Yemen’s embattled president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for urgent medical treatment of wounds sustained in a bold attack on the presidential compound, Saudi officials said, abruptly shifting the political calculus that has allowed him to cling to power despite months of protest and violence...

"Saudi officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Mr. Saleh had agreed to leave only when his condition worsened after Friday’s attack. President Obama’s top adviser on Yemen, John O. Brennan, spoke by phone Saturday with the Yemeni vice president, Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi, who news reports said became acting president under the Yemeni Constitution.

"The Saudis are likely to make sure Mr. Saleh, who has been in power for 33 years, does not return as president, analysts said — a goal they and other regional Arab leaders have tried unsuccessfully to arrange for weeks."

In his absence, Saleh's ability to retain the loyalty of even those within his government is severely compromised. What's more, I agree with the New York Times article that Saudi Arabia is likely to use this occasion to prevent his return, as under the GCC umbrella they've been trying to ease him out of power for weeks.