Yemen's Saleh makes first TV appearance since attack

SANAA — A badly burned Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh appeared on television on Thursday for the first time since he was wounded in an explosion at his palace in Sanaa, urging dialogue but not saying whether he plans to return.His face burned and his hands covered with bandages, Saleh, who has been hospitalised in Saudi Arabia since the June 3 attack, was barely recognisable and sat stiffly as he spoke in the pre-recorded statement broadcast on Yemeni television.Speaking from Riyadh, Saleh said he had undergone "more than eight successful operations from the burns sustained in the accident" and called for dialogue."Where are the men who fear God? Why don't they stand with dialogue and with reaching satisfactory solutions" for all Yemenis, asked the veteran president, who has been the target of anti-regime protests since January."We welcome participation within the constitution and law and based on democracy," said the 69-year-old."We are with the participation of all political forces, whether from the opposition or from the regime, but in the light of a plan that would be agreed upon by all Yemenis."Saleh has refused to cede power despite four months of anti-regime protests that have left at least 200 people killed across Yemen, saying repeatedly that under the constitution he should serve out his current term of office which expires in 2013."The Yemeni people will stand defiant against all challenges that target their security, stability, freedom and democracy," Saleh said.He thanked Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, who has come under domestic and international pressure to assume power during the president's absence, "for his efforts in bridging gaps between all political parties" in Yemen.He also thanked Saudi officials including King Abdullah who have "offered us full attention and care."Uncertainty has prevailed over Saleh's health, given that he had not been seen in public since the attack amid conflicting reports about his condition.Eleven people were killed and 124 others were wounded, amo

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