Diplomats say that the United Nations Security Council is likely to adopt a resolution on Yemen by next week that would voice support for Gulf Arab mediators who have urged the country’s president to hand over power.

Diplomats say that the United Nations Security Council is likely to adopt a resolution on Yemen by next week that would voice support for Gulf Arab mediators who have urged the country's president to hand over power.

Britain has been drafting a resolution on Yemen in consultation with France and the United States and intends to circulate it to the full 15-nation Security Council shortly after a closed-door meeting on Tuesday.
"We would ideally like to vote on the resolution this week," a Western diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Another diplomat said the vote would most likely take place late this week or early next week.

UN special envoy Jamal Benomar, who left Yemen earlier this month after a fruitless two weeks trying to mediate between the government of embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the opposition, is scheduled to brief the council on Tuesday.

Diplomats in New York also expect that Russia and China were not likely to block a resolution on Yemen.

Saleh earlier, on Saturday, said he was ready to step down within days but would not hand over to his foes.
"I don't want power and I will give it up in the coming days," the veteran leader said in a televised speech during which he launched a tirade against his opponents.

However, the opposition dismissed Saleh announcement, ruling out that the President who has been in power for 33 years would resign.