Senior opposition figure Mohammed Basindwa has been named as Yemen’s interim prime minister ahead of planned elections in February, according to state TV. The appointment was made by the country’s Vice-President, Abdrabbuh Mansour Haddi. President Ali Abdullah Saleh has handed over powers to Haddi under a deal brokered by regional Gulf states and signed last Wednesday. On Sunday Saleh told senior members of his party that his departure would restore peace to his impoverished country. The Interim Prime Minister is to form a new government within 14 days with an equal participation of all the opposition parties and the ruling General People’s Congress Party. Saleh will hold the position of an honorary President within 90 days until new President is elected.