Governors will be elected, says president

SANA’A, Oct. 06 (Saba)-President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Friday that the governors and directors of districts will be elected. Speaking to attendants in Afta banquet held in presidential palace, president Saleh said that a committee was formed to draw timetable and plans to carry our hi electoral program. The plans and timetable will be announced soon, he said. He said that a new page will be opened with Joint Meeting Parties in particular and opposition parties in general. He called on all to gather efforts to build the nation and enhance freedom and democracy that realize security and stability as well as comprehensive development. He said that he has asked the government to make amendment on law of local authority to elect governors and director of districts. “We will make an end for centralization and strengthen decentralization,” he said. He made it clear that the governors and directors of districts will be elected directly from members of the local councils. He announced that any official would not stay more than four years in his position, saying that a law will be issued over setting up independent body for combating corruption. In his speech, president welcomed local and foreign investments in the country. “We will offer all facilities to investors to create jobs for jobless people,” he said. He concluded by congratulated people and attendants on holy month of Ramadan. AH/AH