Yemeni interim government has amended a draft law giving immunity to aides of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. However, the embattled leader would still enjoy full impunity.

Yemeni interim government has amended a draft law giving immunity to aides of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. However, the embattled leader would still enjoy full impunity.

Yemeni Legal Affairs Minister Mohammad Makhlafi told reporters on Thursday that the legislation has been amended and would shield Saleh's aides in "political cases" only.

But Saleh himself would still enjoy full immunity from prosecution after his resignation, Makhlafi said, without elaborating on what kinds of cases could be tried.

The legislation has to be approved by the parliament.

Yemeni transitional government approved a draft law on January 8, in which it granted immunity “against legal and judicial prosecution” to Saleh and his aides.

The draft, which was a part of a power deal brokered last November by the Gulf Cooperation Council, sparked massive protests. Anti-government demonstrators called for the trial of Saleh and for the expulsion of the remnants of his regime.