Related News
Surprise as president of Yemen flies home
Source: Agencies |
September 24, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Ali Abdullah Saleh unexpectedly returned to Yemen yesterday after three months in Saudi Arabia, calling for a cease-fire between his supporters and opponents after five days of fierce fighting in the capital.
Saleh's reappearance raised big questions over the future of the Arabian Peninsula state, which has been paralyzed by protests against his 33-year rule since January.
In New York, the United States said it wanted Saleh to step down, arrange a full transfer of power and allow Yemen to "move on."
Violence in the Yemeni capital Sanaa exploded this week, when a months-old standoff between loyalist troops and forces backing anti-Saleh protesters turned into a full-blown military showdown that killed more than 100 people in five days.
The country, one of the region's poorest, also faces a worsening insurgency by al- Qaida, an uneasy truce with Shiite fighters in the north and separatism in the south.
Moments after state television's announcement of his return from Saudi Arabia, where he had been recovering from severe burns received in an assassination attempt, the capital's streets erupted with bursts of gunfire and fireworks. Shelling was also taking place in the capital's Hasaba district.
Saleh called for a cease-fire so that talks could be held.
"The solution is not in rifles and guns, it is in dialogue and stopping bloodshed," the defense ministry quoted Saleh as saying. But many Yemenis saw his return as an attempt to rally for war.
His return divided Yemenis, with supporters joyfully predicting that he could restore order, and opponents saying they feared his presence would unleash bloodshed.
"I'm so excited," said Akram al-Aghbari, a doorman. "He is an honorable and great man. He's coming to stop this terrible violence."
'Love returned'
Supporters were ecstatic. Radio stations blared celebratory music and thousands gathered at a pro-Saleh rally waving flags, beating drums and honking horns. A newsflash on Yemen TV warned people not to fire into the air for safety reasons.
At 70 square, a hub for pro-government Yemenis, the imam leading prayers said: "The president returned, the heartbeat of Yemen returned, happiness returned, love returned, logic returned."
Saleh had already been involved in negotiations mediated by neighboring Gulf states to leave office, repeatedly promising to step down only to change his position at the last minute.
The US said yesterday it wanted Saleh to sign the accord promoted by the Gulf Cooperation Council which envisages him stepping aside.
His return took by surprise opposition politicians, protesters and diplomats who has been entreating him to go.
Two members of Saleh's General People's Congress party denied Saleh's return spelled the end for the Gulf-brokered power transfer plan, which would see him hand interim power to Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Saleh's reappearance raised big questions over the future of the Arabian Peninsula state, which has been paralyzed by protests against his 33-year rule since January.
In New York, the United States said it wanted Saleh to step down, arrange a full transfer of power and allow Yemen to "move on."
Violence in the Yemeni capital Sanaa exploded this week, when a months-old standoff between loyalist troops and forces backing anti-Saleh protesters turned into a full-blown military showdown that killed more than 100 people in five days.
The country, one of the region's poorest, also faces a worsening insurgency by al- Qaida, an uneasy truce with Shiite fighters in the north and separatism in the south.
Moments after state television's announcement of his return from Saudi Arabia, where he had been recovering from severe burns received in an assassination attempt, the capital's streets erupted with bursts of gunfire and fireworks. Shelling was also taking place in the capital's Hasaba district.
Saleh called for a cease-fire so that talks could be held.
"The solution is not in rifles and guns, it is in dialogue and stopping bloodshed," the defense ministry quoted Saleh as saying. But many Yemenis saw his return as an attempt to rally for war.
His return divided Yemenis, with supporters joyfully predicting that he could restore order, and opponents saying they feared his presence would unleash bloodshed.
"I'm so excited," said Akram al-Aghbari, a doorman. "He is an honorable and great man. He's coming to stop this terrible violence."
'Love returned'
Supporters were ecstatic. Radio stations blared celebratory music and thousands gathered at a pro-Saleh rally waving flags, beating drums and honking horns. A newsflash on Yemen TV warned people not to fire into the air for safety reasons.
At 70 square, a hub for pro-government Yemenis, the imam leading prayers said: "The president returned, the heartbeat of Yemen returned, happiness returned, love returned, logic returned."
Saleh had already been involved in negotiations mediated by neighboring Gulf states to leave office, repeatedly promising to step down only to change his position at the last minute.
The US said yesterday it wanted Saleh to sign the accord promoted by the Gulf Cooperation Council which envisages him stepping aside.
His return took by surprise opposition politicians, protesters and diplomats who has been entreating him to go.
Two members of Saleh's General People's Congress party denied Saleh's return spelled the end for the Gulf-brokered power transfer plan, which would see him hand interim power to Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
