SANA’A, Sept. 23 – President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi left Yemen Sunday for the United Kingdom on the first stop of an official visit, which will include a number of European countries and the U.S.

This visit came in response to an invitation by international patrons of the political reconciliation in Yemen.  Hadi spoke to the state-run Saba news agency, saying, “The first stop on this visit will be the United Kingdom due to the long, steady bonds between the two countries and its constructive, serious role with the member states toward Yemen.”  

Hadi’s second stop is the U.S.

“We pin big hopes on this visit considering the U.S. is our number-one partner with regard to supporting Yemen politically and economically in addition to the security.”

Hadi said U.S. President Barack Obama was one of the first and foremost in following the latest developments in Yemen at the peak of the country’s crisis.

He also said that, while in the U.S., he would attend the Friends of Yemen Conference, to be held Sept. 27 in New York City. Many donor countries will attend the conference to declare further financial pledges to help Yemen revive its economy and to move forward during this transitional phase. Marwan Al-Ghafori, a political analyst, said Hadi is the only one in Yemen who enjoys the trust of seven million Yemeni people, adding that this visit has been due for some time. Hadi will listen to more emphases from the international community with respect to support and siding with his latest decisions.  

“Hadi will take advantage of his being with the leaders of the world,” Al-Ghafori said. “That is to say, Hadi’s decisions will be unopposed and his authority is not limited.”

He added, “I think the Central Security Forces will be the coming battle and then Saleh will be restricted to some brigades of the Republican Guard. This step may come ahead of the National Dialogue Conference.”

Fuad Al-Hasri, a writer, opined that Hadi’s visit will be of great influence to make a qualitative jump in the political process in the country, particularly when the donor countries announce their support for Yemen’s economy and security.

Hadi’s decrees have been satisfactory thus far, he said; however, there are still many hurdles ahead, including the army and security re-organizations. International support for Hadi will help him overcome such problems that have been standing in his way since his installation as president more than six months ago, Al-Hasri said.