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Yemen's ruling political party pulls president from its leadership amid ongoing power struggle

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A supporter of Yemen's ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh kisses his picture during a demonstration against foreign interference in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Thousands of supporters of Yemen's ousted president and Shiite rebels who have overrun the capital rallied in Sanaa, denouncing what they claim to be American "interference" in Yemen's affairs. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

A supporter of Yemen's ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh, shown on a poster, chants slogans to express his rejection of U.S. Ambassador Matthew H. Tueller during a demonstration against foreign interference in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Thousands of supporters of Yemen's ousted president and Shiite rebels who have overrun the capital rallied in Sanaa, denouncing what they claim to be American "interference" in Yemen's affairs. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of Yemen's ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh, shown on a picture, center, chant slogans to express their rejection of U.S. Ambassador Matthew H. Tueller during a demonstration against foreign interference in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Thousands of supporters of Yemen's ousted president and Shiite rebels who have overrun the capital rallied in Sanaa, denouncing what they claim to be American "interference" in Yemen's affairs. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (The Associated Press)

Yemen's ruling political party, still headed by the country's former leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, has removed the country's sitting president from its top ranks.

The General People's Congress party is split between supporters of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and those backing Saleh. Saleh was forced to step down in 2012 following monthslong protests against him, but remained at the helm of the party and a major power broker in the country.

The party didn't explain its decision Saturday to remove Hadi. It appeared to be a reaction to what Saleh supporters said was Hadi's support for United Nations sanctions imposed Friday against Saleh and two allied military commanders over allegedly threatening the peace, security and stability of the country.

Hadi had no immediate reaction to the party's decision.