This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-17108117

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Yemen voters choose new leader to end Saleh rule Yemen voters choose new leader to end Saleh rule
(40 minutes later)
People in Yemen are voting to elect a new president to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.People in Yemen are voting to elect a new president to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.Voters are expected to rubber-stamp Vice-President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi - the only candidate in Tuesday's poll.
The poll comes after a year of violent anti-government protests in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country.The poll comes after a year of violent anti-government protests in the Arabian peninsula's poorest country.
Long queues formed early in the morning at polling stations in the capital Sanaa, protected by tight security measures.Long queues formed early in the morning at polling stations in the capital Sanaa, protected by tight security measures.
Violence continued on Monday, with at least one polling station attacked in the south. One person is said to have been killed.Violence continued on Monday, with at least one polling station attacked in the south. One person is said to have been killed.
Foregone conclusion 'End of the Saleh era'
The separatist Southern Movement and the northern Shia rebels have called on people to boycott the poll.The separatist Southern Movement and the northern Shia rebels have called on people to boycott the poll.
But the main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are supporting Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa. But the main supporters of the uprising that began in January 2011 are backing Mr Hadi, whose election posters are prominently displayed in Sanaa.
He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the rebels there.He is from the south himself and has called for dialogue with the rebels there.
At a huge rally inside the Sanaa football stadium, I saw thousands of enthusiastic supporters chanting the name of Yemen's vice-President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election.For outsiders, it is hard to understand why anyone would get excited about such a demonstrably undemocratic election.
The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good.The vice-president is the only candidate - but that is not the point. This election is about making sure that Yemen's president for the last 33 years, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is gone for good.
But even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military. Even with him gone, the old president's sons and nephews still control the military.
Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts.Large chunks of the country are in rebellion and al-Qaeda militants have recently taken control of two districts.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Sanaa says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president. And half a million children suffer from severe malnutrition.
It is a daunting list of tasks for Yemen's new president.
Husam Al-Sharjabi, a 37-year-old protester who recently formed the al-Watan opposition party, says the election is important because it puts a seal on the end of the Saleh era.
In a BBC interview, he acknowledged that al-Qaeda posed a real threat in the country. "It's a threat that has been exaggerated, but it must be taken seriously.
"We need to take a multi-faceted approach involving defence, diplomacy and development, to minimise the opportunities for these groups to recruit from the poor and disenfranchised."
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, in Sanaa, says the situation there is peaceful, and there is a lot of enthusiasm at the prospect of getting rid of the old president.
The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours.The election follows a deal brokered by Yemen's Gulf Arab neighbours.
Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president is elected.Mr Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, signed the agreement to step down - but only once a new president is elected.
On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power".On Monday, he urged Yemenis to vote for Mr Hadi to ensure "a peaceful transition of power".
According to the election rules, there is no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid.According to the election rules, there is no minimum turnout for the vote to be valid.
Our correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says if only one person turns out to vote for him, Mr Hadi will still win. If only one person turns out to vote for him, Mr Hadi will still win.
It all sounds like a bit of a farce, he adds. But he says that the election is not much about choosing a new leader, it is about marking an end to President Saleh's rule. The new leader will face a series of challenging tasks - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants and also widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought.
The new leader will face a daunting list of tasks - an ongoing rebellion in large chunks of the country, al-Qaeda militants and also widespread malnutrition among children and severe drought. More than 12 million people are eligible to vote. Ten million registered for the last vote in 2006 in addition to 2.2 million new voters.
More than 12 million people are eligible to vote. Ten million registered for the last vote in 2006 in addition to 2.2 million new voters. The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled. The new president is due to stay stay in office for two years, when a further round of presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled.