Yemen TV to air Saleh speech: ministry
SANAA — Yemeni television will air a speech later Thursday by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has not appeared in public since he was wounded in an explosion at his palace…
SANAA — Yemeni television will air a speech later Thursday by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has not appeared in public since he was wounded in an explosion at his palace last month, the defence ministry said.Saleh "will address the Yemeni people via television in the coming hours," the ministry's 26sep.net website announced in a brief statement.Yemeni television said the speech would be broadcast "during our coming programmes."A source close to the presidency told AFP the speech, recorded on Thursday in Riyadh where Saleh has been receiving medical treatment since June 4, will be aired between 8:00 and 9:00 pm (1700 and 1800 GMT).Another statement on Yemen television read: "The interior ministry warns Yemenis not to fire gunshots in the air to express their happiness at President Ali Abdullah Saleh's health and his speech to the people this evening."Late last month, Deputy Information Minister Abdo al-Janadi told AFP a team from Yemeni television had headed to Riyadh to interview Saleh and that it would be broadcast after June 30."In this interview, Saleh will address the Yemeni people to reassure them about his health," Janadi said.But a Yemeni diplomat in Riyadh told AFP on June 29 that Saleh's condition would not allow him to make a media appearance."Saudi authorities, in compliance with doctors' orders, forbid any filming or visits to President Saleh, as this contradicts the atmosphere needed for his recovery," the diplomat had said.Uncertainty has prevailed over Saleh's health, given that he has not been seen in public since the attack amid conflicting reports about his condition.Eleven people were killed and 124 others were wounded, among them senior officials, in the explosion as they prayed at the mosque in Saleh's presidential palace in Sanaa on June 3.In Saleh's absence, Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi has come under pressure from the parliamentary opposition and the West to assume power, while protesters are demanding that he form an interim ruling council.But Hadi's grip on power is se
last modification 2011-07-07 19:30:55
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