Yemen’s veteran President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has left the country to travel to the US for medical treatment, Yemeni officials say.
In a televised “farewell speech” he asked for forgiveness for “any shortcomings” during his 33-year rule.
His departure came a day after MPs approved a law giving him immunity from prosecution.
The law was part of a deal under which President Saleh would relinquish power and leave Yemen.
A spokesman for Mr Saleh, Ahmed al-Soufi, said the president had flown out of the country late on Sunday bound for neighbouring Oman, from where he is expected to continue his journey.
“God willing, I will leave for treatment in the United States and I will return to Sanaa as head of the General People’s Congress party,” Mr Saleh earlier told party officials in his speech.
