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Yemen's President Saleh 'leaves country' for treatment | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Yemen's veteran President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has left the country to travel to the US for medical treatment, Yemeni officials have told journalists. | |
In a televised "farewell speech" he asked for forgiveness for "any shortcomings" during his 33 year rule. | |
His reported departure came a day after MPs approved a law giving him immunity from prosecution. | |
The law was part of a deal under which President Saleh would relinquish power and leave Yemen. | The law was part of a deal under which President Saleh would relinquish power and leave Yemen. |
The capital Sanaa saw renewed protests on Sunday calling for him to be put on trial. | |
Demonstrators want Mr Saleh to be brought to justice for offences they say he committed, including the brutal suppression of a year-long uprising that left hundreds dead. | |
In a separate development, reports said government forces had closed runways at the main airport serving Sanaa, demanding the removal of Air Force commander Maj Gen Mohammed Saleh - the president's half-brother. | In a separate development, reports said government forces had closed runways at the main airport serving Sanaa, demanding the removal of Air Force commander Maj Gen Mohammed Saleh - the president's half-brother. |
Witnesses told Reuters news agency that air traffic was halted, and riot police with water cannon surrounded the protesters. | Witnesses told Reuters news agency that air traffic was halted, and riot police with water cannon surrounded the protesters. |
'Seeking forgiveness' | 'Seeking forgiveness' |
"God willing, I will leave for treatment in the United States and I will return to Sanaa as head of the General People's Congress party," Ali Abdullah Saleh told party officials, according to the state news agency Saba. | "God willing, I will leave for treatment in the United States and I will return to Sanaa as head of the General People's Congress party," Ali Abdullah Saleh told party officials, according to the state news agency Saba. |
"I ask for forgiveness from all my people, men and women, for any shortcomings during my 33-year-long rule," he said. | "I ask for forgiveness from all my people, men and women, for any shortcomings during my 33-year-long rule," he said. |
One official who was at the early-morning event which brought together senior political, military and security officials, quoted Mr Saleh as saying: "Today, I leave the country in your hands.'' | One official who was at the early-morning event which brought together senior political, military and security officials, quoted Mr Saleh as saying: "Today, I leave the country in your hands.'' |
The president's aides told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Saleh also announced the promotion of Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi - who is set to replace him as president - to the rank of marshal. | The president's aides told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Saleh also announced the promotion of Vice-President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi - who is set to replace him as president - to the rank of marshal. |
Mr Saleh, 69, was badly injured in an attack on his presidential palace in June after which he spent several months in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. | Mr Saleh, 69, was badly injured in an attack on his presidential palace in June after which he spent several months in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. |
'Butcher' | 'Butcher' |
The bill approved on Saturday grants President Saleh full and irrevocable immunity from prosecution for anything he did while in office. | The bill approved on Saturday grants President Saleh full and irrevocable immunity from prosecution for anything he did while in office. |
However, Mr Saleh's top officials get limited immunity, and could still be prosecuted for actions deemed to be terrorism, or for corruption. | However, Mr Saleh's top officials get limited immunity, and could still be prosecuted for actions deemed to be terrorism, or for corruption. |
Angry protesters carried banners on Sunday urging MPs to reverse their decision on Mr Saleh's immunity. | Angry protesters carried banners on Sunday urging MPs to reverse their decision on Mr Saleh's immunity. |
"It is our duty... to execute the butcher", chanted protesters in Change Square - the hub of the democracy movement over the past year, AFP news agency said. | "It is our duty... to execute the butcher", chanted protesters in Change Square - the hub of the democracy movement over the past year, AFP news agency said. |
Security forces controlled by the president and his family, as well as armed loyalists, have been accused of killing anti-government protesters. | Security forces controlled by the president and his family, as well as armed loyalists, have been accused of killing anti-government protesters. |
Earlier this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said that anyone who committed abuses during the mass protests which erupted a year ago should not be allowed to escape justice. | Earlier this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said that anyone who committed abuses during the mass protests which erupted a year ago should not be allowed to escape justice. |