The Yemeni leader who has been in Riyadh since early June for treatment after he was wounded in a bomb attack on his Sana'a compound, said: "Those who went to the University Square to support the youth revolution that demands the ouster of the regime... have fed on corruption, and are dealers of arms and land… Our people know them well. They were a burden on the political system which was always blamed for protecting those corrupt... who are now (demonstrating) at the University Square.”
Saleh added: "Let them go away... corrupt, liars and deceivers. We do not mention names, but our people know them very well." It is speculated that he was referring to the leaders of the opposition who have backed the popular protests that began in January.
In a similar address on Tuesday 30th September, on the occasion of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr feast, which marks the end of the fasting month, Saleh called for a mechanism to implement a Gulf plan aimed at a peaceful transition of power. According to Saba State news agency, Saleh told his ruling General People's Congress party to "make contact with the (opposition) Common Forum to develop a mechanism for implementing the Gulf plan without delay".
The Gulf plan stipulates that Saleh transfer power to Yemen's Vice President Abdu Rabo Mansour Hadi within 30 days in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
Sources: AP, AFP, Bloomberg
For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.
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