NA November 1918 (from the
Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967
(from the UK); the union is to be solidified during a 30-month transition
period, which coincides with the remainder of the five-year terms of both
legislatures
Constitution:
16 April 1991
Legal system:
based on Islamic law, Turkish law, English common law, and local customary
law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Republic, 22 May (1990)
Executive branch:
five-member Presidential Council (president, vice president, two members
from northern Yemen and one member from southern Yemen), prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives
Judicial branch:
North - State Security Court; South - Federal High Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President `Ali `Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of
North Yemen); Vice President Ali Salim al-BIDH (since 22 May 1990, and
Secretary General of the Yemeni Socialist Party); Presidential Council
Member Salim Salih MUHAMMED; Presidential Council Member Kadi Abdul-Karim
al-ARASHI; Presidential Council Member Abdul-Aziz ABDUL-GHANI; Prime
Minister Haydar Abu Bakr al-`ATTAS (since 22 May 1990, former president of
South Yemen)
Political parties and leaders:
General People's Congress, `Ali `Abdallah SALIH; Yemeni Socialist Party
(YSP; formerly South Yemen's ruling party - a coalition of National Front,
Ba`th, and Communist Parties), Ali Salim al-BIDH; Yemen Grouping for Reform
or Islaah, Abdallah Husayn AHMAR
Suffrage:
universal at age 18
Elections:
House of Representatives:
last held NA (next to be held NA November 1992); results - percent of vote
NA; seats - (301); number of seats by party NA; note - the 301 members of
the new House of Representatives come from North Yemen's Consultative
Assembly (159 members), South Yemen's Supreme People's Council (111
members), and appointments by the New Presidential Council (31 members)
Communists:
small number in North, greater but unknown number in South

:Yemen Government

Other political or pressure groups:
conservative tribal groups, Muslim Brotherhood, leftist factions - pro-Iraqi
Ba`thists, Nasirists, National Democratic Front (NDF)
Member of:
ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IBRD,