Yemen's Saleh vows to leave, troops kill 9 protesters
- 12 years ago
Violence erupts in Yemen.
At least nine people were killed and scores wounded as forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh moved against demonstrators in the capital Sanaa.
Scores of injured men were rushed to a local field hospital for treatment
The violence comes as Saleh says he is planning to leave the country.
SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLAH SALEH, SAYING:
"I will go to the United States. Not for treatment, because I'm fine, but to get away from attention, cameras, and allow the unity government to prepare properly for elections. I want to be away for the elections, because whether it fails or succeeds people may blame the president."
In a news conference he said he would both let Yemen's new government work, and oppose it.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLAH SALEH, SAYING:
"I'll withdraw from political work but will keep leading the political action of the General People's Congress (GPC) and go into the street as part of the opposition."
As the bloodshed and political uncertainty continues Saudi Arabia and Saleh's former backers in Washington fear that militants could strengthen their hand.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
At least nine people were killed and scores wounded as forces loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh moved against demonstrators in the capital Sanaa.
Scores of injured men were rushed to a local field hospital for treatment
The violence comes as Saleh says he is planning to leave the country.
SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLAH SALEH, SAYING:
"I will go to the United States. Not for treatment, because I'm fine, but to get away from attention, cameras, and allow the unity government to prepare properly for elections. I want to be away for the elections, because whether it fails or succeeds people may blame the president."
In a news conference he said he would both let Yemen's new government work, and oppose it.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) YEMENI PRESIDENT ALI ABDULLAH SALEH, SAYING:
"I'll withdraw from political work but will keep leading the political action of the General People's Congress (GPC) and go into the street as part of the opposition."
As the bloodshed and political uncertainty continues Saudi Arabia and Saleh's former backers in Washington fear that militants could strengthen their hand.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters