DUBAI: Yemeni President Abrabuh Mansur Hadi has faced dual challenges since taking office two months ago; his predecessor's continued grip on the levers of power and spiralling Al-Qaeda-linked violence.
Long-time president Ali Abdullah Saleh handed power to Hadi in February in line with a Gulf-brokered transition deal which stipulated that the new leader, during his two-year interim term, must restructure the military and lead a national dialogue.
But generals close to Saleh are clinging to their posts despite being sacked by Hadi. One is Saleh's half brother, who heads the air force, and another is a nephew, who commands the presidential guard.
Earlier this month, loyalists of air force commander General Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar encircled Sanaa airport and threatened to shoot down planes in protest against the general's sacking.
Mohammed Afandi, head of the Yemeni Centre for Strategic Studies, said "the main obstacles lie in restructuring of the army under a unified command to restore the country's stability and put an end to activities of Al-Qaeda," which has strengthened its presence across the mostly lawless south and east.
Critics of the former leader, who had declared himself aUSally in its "war on terror," have repeatedly accused him of having used the Al-Qaeda threat in a bid to win Western support for him to cling to power.
The southernprovinceofAbyanhas fallen completely under their control except for two towns -- Loder and Mudia -- where battles between the army and residents and extremists have left more than 200 people dead this month.
"The former regime is helping Al-Qaeda hinder the (new unity) government's work and peaceful transition," Afandi told AFP. "The former regime must realise that its role is over."
Ibrahim Sharqieh, of the Brookings Institute inDoha, said he believes the sacking of generals close to Saleh "is a clear step forward, as it boosts the political process and restores confidence in the security services."
These decisions, "even if they were not implemented (immediately), grant the transition overall credibility, especially as they were made by by an elected president who has local and international legitimacy," says Sharqieh.
Hadi has strong support from the international community as well as fromYemen's Gulf neighbours.
On April 7, theUnited Statespraised Hadi's announcement of transfers as part of the transition, a day after the Gulf Cooperation Council also voiced support for Hadi.
The UN'sYemenenvoy and key player in the power-transfer deal, Jamal Benomar, who arrived in Sanaa on Wednesday, has also pledged support for Hadi.
But Saleh, who was granted immunity from prosecution by the Gulf deal, has refused to go into voluntary exile, choosing instead to continue leading his General People's Congress party, which still plays a vital role in politics.
Last week, Saleh said on his party's website that "Yemenwill not see stability without the effective role of GPC leaders," accusing his opponents of "trying to dragYementowards sedition."
For Sharqieh, "the mere presence of Saleh inYemencasts doubt on the political transition." The immunity he has been granted "also creates a confidence crisis between the new leadership and public opinion."
The suspectedUSinvolvement in drone strikes on Al-Qaeda hideouts also "exacerbates the crisis and give Al-Qaeda the legitimacy" it needs to intensify its attacks.
Fighting in Loder this month came after a series of air strikes, some of them allegedly by US drones, killed more than 20 Al-Qaeda militants.
TheUnited Stateshas never formally acknowledged the use of drones against Al-Qaeda inYemen, considered byWashingtonto be the most active and deadly branch of the global terror network.
According to Sharqieh, the new government must focus on "stimulating" the poverty-striken country's economy by making use of the upcoming "Friends of Yemen" meeting, scheduled to take place inRiyadhon May 23, to secure emergency aid needed forYemen.
Experts estimate that the country, where the economy was left on the brink of collapse after a year-long uprising against Saleh's rule, needs $5 billion (3.8 billion euros) over the coming three years.