Cairo, Jumada Al-Awwal 07, 1432 / April 11, 2011, SPA -- The Cairo-based Arab League today announced support for the initiative earlier launched by the Riyadh-based Gulf Cooperation Council seeking a peaceful solution to the Yemeni political crisis. In a statement, the Arab League's Deputy Secretary General Ahmed bin Halley said the Arab League confirms its support for the GCC initiative the pillar of which is that President Ali Abdullah Saleh abdicates his post for his deputy Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. He said the Arab League hopes that the demands of the Yemeni people be met and that all factions and parties of the political equation in Yemen work to find a peaceful exit for this crisis. He reiterated the Arab League's call for respecting the principle of free expression of opinion and non-use of violence against the legitimate peaceful demands of civilians. --SPA 21:08 LOCAL TIME 18:08 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/882561