Hani Mohammed/AP

Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh on Monday formally handed over power to new President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, marking the end of his 33-year rule.  The formal power transfer took place in the presidential palace in the capital of Sanaa in a brief ceremony attended by high- ranking local and foreign officials. Saleh said he was handing over the banner of revolution, freedom and security to safe hands.  The security of Yemen, he said, is part of the security of the region and he urged the international community to back his successor's efforts to rebuild Yemen. Hadi thanked Saleh and said that the current crisis being complicated and difficult requires the cooperation of all the honorable people.