One killed, tens injured in Yemen following Saleh's speech

[News_Editor]

One killed, tens injured in Yemen following Saleh's speech

2011-07-09 02:34:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- At least one person was killed and tens others injured on Friday when pro-government supporters attacked anti-government protesters rallying in the capital Sanaa, a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh gave his first speech since being seriously injured in an attack.

According to the Yemen Post, regime supporters fired live bullets at tents of thousands of people who have been holding a sit-in for months in the square outside Sanaa University. Medical sources at the field hospital in the square confirmed a protester was killed and more than twenty injured.

Saleh said in his speech broadcasted late Thursday that he welcomed "power sharing with the opposition." After the speech, Saleh supporters displayed fireworks and fired live bullets in the air to celebrate the improving condition of their president, whose face was entirely burned and his body looked very sick.

When Saudi doctors said weeks ago that Saleh had undergone a successful surgery, his supporters celebrated the news killing at least 15 people and injuring scores in some cities.

Saleh, 69, was wounded along with other government officials in the bomb attack that hit the mosque of the presidential palace in Sanaa on June 3. They were hospitalized in Riyadh for treatment the following day.

Since the months of February and March, violent clashes between anti-government movements and security forces began as part of wide-range uprisings in the Middle East since the beginning of the year.

In Yemen, protesters have continually demanded the resignation of government leaders and President Saleh, who has ruled the country for 32 years. Tens of thousands of Yemenis have participated throughout the year, and on March 18, security forces opened fire against protesters in Sanaa, killing at least 52 people.

Violence has continued escalating after Saleh threatened with civil war after refusing, for the third time, to sign a power transfer deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on May 22.

The GCC-proposed plan included guarantees that Saleh will not be prosecuted after his resignation within 30 days from the acceptance date. It also called for holding presidential elections within two months from the date of Saleh's departure as well as the establishment of a new government within 90 days.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-09