YEMEN: President addresses supporters, vows to resist ‘saboteurs’
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Friday he would confront challenges from opponents, whom he called “saboteurs,” and said they should use the ballot box if they want to end his nearly 33 years in power.
“We will confront a challenge with a challenge. Whoever wants power should head to the ballot box.... Stop playing with fire,” Saleh said as tens of thousands of people rallied in counterdemonstrations outside the presidential palace in Sana for and against his rule.
“I call on the opposition to join in a constructive dialogue under any organization and in any place,” he said. Saleh has so far effectively rejected agreements brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council that would have allowed him to step down with immunity.
On Friday, a column of protesters prayed along the road to the palace, then marched routes that have become well-traveled in recent days. No deaths or serious injuries had been reported Friday afternoon and protests appeared to be peaceful, although analysts have warned of a security crackdown after a deadly week of unrest that left more than a dozen dead.
RELATED:
-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske in Cairo and a correspondent in Sana