SANAA: Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in New York for medical treatment after agreeing to step down following months of protests, has vowed to return to vote in presidential polls, state media said.

Saleh told visitors that he would "participate" in the snap election on February 21, in which his deputy Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi is the sole candidate, Saba state news agency reported late on Tuesday.

He said he is in "good health," it added.

US officials had said that Saleh would not return to Yemen until after the referendum-like election, stipulated by a Gulf plan to confirm Hadi as a president for a two-year term.

Saleh signed the Gulf initiative on November 23 after months of stalling, handing over power to Hadi to implement the plan and organise an early election within a 90-day period.

Saleh, who has been in New York since late January for medical treatment for injuries from a June bomb blast, remains honorary president until Hadi is elected president.