This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-15030899
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh returns to Sanaa | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh has returned to the country from Saudi Arabia three months after surviving an assassination attempt, officials say. | |
Yemen TV said President Saleh arrived in the capital, Sanaa, by private plane at dawn. No other details were given. | |
He went to Saudi Arabia in June for treatment following a rocket attack on the grounds of the presidential palace. | |
President Saleh, who has been in power for more than 30 years, has faced months of protests urging him to quit. | |
Correspondents say his return raises the risk of all-out civil war. | |
"We're definitely going to have an escalation of violence, but let him come back - we want him to come back and be tried for his crimes," said protest organiser Mohammed al-Asl. | |
Activists have been camped out in Sanaa's Change Square since January demanding an end to his rule. | |
Clashes in the capital between government troops and forces opposing the president have recently intensified. | |
More than 80 people, mostly unarmed protesters, have been killed since Sunday. | |
Medics say at least one person was killed overnight and many others wounded when mortars landed in Change Square. | |
Ceasefire collapse | |
On Friday, correspondents in Sanaa reported a surge in artillery and machine-gun fire. | |
Yemeni state TV broadcast old footage of Mr Saleh and played national songs as it reported his return. | |
The Yemeni embassy in Washington confirmed President Saleh had returned. | |
In Sanaa, anti-Saleh protesters have called for more rallies after Friday prayers. | |
"His return means more divisions, more escalation and confrontations," protest leader Abdel-Hadi al-Azizi told AP news agency. | |
"We are in a very critical escalation." | |
The fighting in Sanaa is mostly between supporters of President Saleh and soldiers loyal to a top general who defected to the opposition in March. | |
Hopes of a lasting ceasefire between the sides, to enable a reform process to take place in which President Saleh would yield power, are fading. | |
On Tuesday the government agreed a truce following negotiations with Western envoys. However, the ceasefire broke down hours later. | On Tuesday the government agreed a truce following negotiations with Western envoys. However, the ceasefire broke down hours later. |
Are you in Yemen? Do you have relatives there? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can class="inlineText" href="http://bbcnewsupload.streamuk.com/">upload here. | |
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2780295.stm#yourpics">Read the terms and conditions | |