Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh 'flies to US' "We think that him not being here will help the transition, we think it will improve the atmosphere," the ambassador said. Saleh had been expected to travel to New York for treatment late last year, but aides said he cancelled the trip at the request of his General People's Congress party. Late last week, parliament approved a controversial bill granting Saleh blanket immunity from prosecution. He has been in power in Sanaa since 1978.