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Monday, 8 August 2011

August 8th Updates!

Asharq Alawsat: U.S. sources said that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh decided, finally, not to return to Yemen, because of exerted U.S. pressure on him, and because of his fear of prosecution, such as the one the Egyptian Revolution is putting former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak through.

The sources told «Asharq Alawsat» The U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Gerald Firestein, asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to talk about the «U.S. pressure» on Saleh, but about «American interests». This is because Saleh, said the Ambassador is a «stubborn person, and should not be cornered».

The sources said that opponents in Yemen asked the Ambassador «not to negotiate with Saleh via the media»; because Saleh according to his opponents is ready «to ally with the devil», with «al Qaeda», and with the Houthis, despite the strong hostility among them.

The U.S. Ambassador conveyed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that if Saleh returned he would be more angry on his opponents, especially those who tried to kill him, especially that his injuries don't prevent him from returning; it's external burns and breathing problems.

News quoted from Sana'a, the day before yesterday, that the Ambassador, during An Iftar feast in his home for Yemeni officials and media, revealed about «undisclosed negotiations» conducted with Saleh, and also between Saleh and the opposition. The Ambassador denied accusations of some of the youth protesters, that Washington is interested in the war against the «al Qaeda» more than its concern for Saleh's departure.

The sources said Washington that the U.S. position towards Saleh is stressed lately due to anger at the Yemeni forces during recent clashes with «al Qaeda» fighter since Yemeni forces hit militants tribes of Abyan province, which played a key role in the fight against «al Qaeda».

With regard to the reasons of the Yemeni President's decision to stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the US sources said: Saleh settled on staying in Saudi Arabia; where former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, due to fear of his trial in Yemen after a regime change. And that Saleh wanted treatment in Germany, but Germans accepted on the condition of receiving him as an ordinary citizen, not as President of the Republic.

U.S. sources did not specify the timing of Saleh's signature on the Gulf initiative but said as long as he decided to stay in Saudi Arabia, then he must sign it, with amendments relevant to the elections and providing guarantees for Saleh's family.

Regarding the demonstrations and the role of youth in Yemen, the sources said that the renewed demonstrations in Egypt with the appearance of former President Mubarak before court encouraged the Yemeni youth to raise the ceiling of their demands, which led Saleh's decision not to return to Yemen.

On the future of the U.S. war against the «al Qaeda» in Yemen, the sources said that there is division within the Department of Obama's moderate wing, led by John Brennan, Obama's adviser for terrorism, who has worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the region for many years, and has a long relationship with Saleh, while the the tougher wing is led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton which announced earlier that Saleh has to leave, regardless of any other factors.

Commenting on the news, Abdul Hafiz Alnahari, head of media and information in the General People's Congress Party in Yemen said: «The non-return of Yemeni President is an American desire, but the president insists on returning to impose the basis of a peaceful transfer of power so that Yemenis don't fight over it. And that the return is linked to the completion of a period of recuperation, but that the outstanding issues will not wait for the return of President; because the deputy is authorized to address them, especially a dialogue with the opposition ».

Regard to the Gulf initiative he said: « the provided stages of the initiative is no longer realistic, nor practical, and political parties in Yemen agree in this, but the solution will not be too far away from the spirit of Gulf initiative without complying with the timeframe specified in the initiative».

Abdullah Razi, Yemeni Ambassador to the United Kingdom, said that «there is no indication that the President will not return to his homeland». He said in a call with «Asharaq Alawsat» of London: «the important topic today for Yemenis is the dialogue that should continue between the political parties to reach a solution, regardless of the large number of statements about the return of the president who does not mind returning to his country after the completion of the recovery period ».

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Marebpress: Yemeni source said in Riyadh, asking not to be identified, that "Saleh left the hospital after his health improved to the Conference Palace in Riyadh, although he still suffers from problems in the legs."

"The return to Yemen is unlikely for the time being, but one can not predict what will Saleh do in the coming days, all probabilities are there since the president is known maneuvers that can not be predicted."

He explained that "the political adviser to President Abdul Karim Eryani, met with Saleh at the Conference Palace for more than 24 hours, then left on Thursday evening, to Turkey," adding that " Eryani's visit to Turkey is for unknown reasons."

The source said that "Prime Minister Ali Mujawar is still in the hospital and was due to leave on Saturday night, but has not left and is expected to be within the next two days, and that Shura Council Chairman Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, and a leader in the ruling Congress party in Yemen Sadiq Abu Ras, are still in intensive care.

He also said that "intensive attempts were underway in Riyadh for a reconciliation between the Yemeni factions to end the political crisis in the country, to be announced by 15 Ramadan if incase these endeavors were successful".

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MasdarOnline: Three militants killed and five others wounded on Monday in clashes between army troops and gunmen controling Zanjibar, Abyan.

On the other hand, warplanes bombed the Research Department buildings, the Cotton Gin and the Professional Institute in Kood area, Abyan; no reports of casualties among the militants. 



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MasdarOnline: Freedoms Committe of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate condemns the threats against journalist Saif Al-Haderi, President of Al-Shomoo for Press and Publishing. The committe in a statement denounced the indident which was described as serious and held authorities fully reponsibile as well as demanded an investigation to the incident and punishment for the perpetrators. "The clear targeting of journalists has become a concern on the press situation in Yemen, an index that threatens the press profession and who ever is engaged in it" the statement added.
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Dozens of Yemeni families are still stranded in Ghaidah airport since Thursday.
Passengers said in a complaint to Hood Organization that Al-Saeeda airlines left them at the airport despite the fact that their reservation is confirmed, the company did not send any aircraft to the airport since last Thursday after they had arrived from Salalah Airport.

Witnesses said that many of the families lived a tragic situation on Thursday and Friday where many of them didn't have enough money for a hotel reservations or even for food, the company did not provide them any service usually provided by airline companies in the rest of the world in similar circumstances.

Hood said that what happened to the people stranded at Ghaidah airport is regrettable and shameful at the same time, emphasized the right of victims to sue the company.

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MasdarOnline: The Supreme Council for the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) set August 17th as a date for the founding meeting of the National Assembly which «will be the custodian of the National People's Revolution» and will choose from among it a National Council that should lead the forces of the revolution.

The statement said that the National Council will be «the leadership of the forces of revolution and will complete the process of revolutionary and political change, meet the aspirations of the Yemenis, particularly the revolution's youth (men and women) towards attaining a modern civil state, a state of law and order and equal citizenship, to open to Yemenis horizon to reshape their safe future and perhaps enable them to catch up with the times».

The statement added that the meeting «expressed satisfaction with the findings of the commissions and the communication, technical and literary committees »

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Masdar Online : A Yemeni source in Riyadh said that the political adviser of President Saleh, Dr.Abdul Karim al-Iryani met with Saleh at the Conference Palace for more than 24 hours, then left yesterday evening to Turkey.

Al-Watan Saudi Newspaper said from political sources that the political forces of Yemen are waiting for the return of the political adviser of President Saleh, Dr. Abdul Karim Al-Iryani, to Yemen during the next few days from Riyadh after his meeting with the President, to consult on a formula of the mechanism of agreement for the transfer of power based on the GCC initiative and supported by enforcement mechanisms provided by the United Nations.

According to the news paper, the agreement which may be revealed within a few days, will state Saleh's declaration of the transfer of power to his deputy Abd Rabo Mansour Hadi, and Saleh remains the honorary president until an election for a new president, but this stage shall not exceed the end of this year, which is consistent with Saleh's demands for the transfer of power in a constitutional manner.

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The Saudi embassy in Sana'a has reportedly suspended issuance of pilgrims' visas for the third consecutive week despite the approval they got from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

A source told «Marib Press» that The embassy's suspension is due to the lack of visa stickers, which led to the accumulation of more than ten thousands passports in the embassy.

A group of pilgrims and owners of travel agencies have expressed their resentment because of the delay of visas this season unlike previous seasons. They demanded the competent authorities in both countries to quickly find a solution that facilitates travelling to the holy lands.

so far, we haven't been able to establish contacts with the embassy to get their position.

Pilgrims expressed their fear, according to the source, that their official visas will be transferred to the "courtesy visas" (visas issued by the embassy in large numbers to the Sheikhs and prominent figures for distribution) which turned into a matter of great bargaining.

It is worth mentioning that all the concerned pilgrims had fulfilled all the conditions set by the Saudi authorities including the age requirement (pilgrims have to be no less than 40 years) except for escorts

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Marib Press was notified from private sources in Cairo, that one of the Yemeni national security officers had abducted his colleague's daughter, in Cairo as a result of financial disputes between them .

The sources pointed out that the secret disputes between the intelligence officers in Egypt, have began floating on the surface, following disagreements raised by sums of money which were transferred from Sana'a, but was not distributed fairly between the national security officers in the Yemeni Embassy in Cairo.

The sources added that these disputes have resulted that one of the national security kidnapped the daughter of his colleague from the national security , arguing that the money paid to him to accomplish some of the tasks he was assigned to is less by twenty thousand dollars of the amounts paid to his colleagues in the Yemeni intelligence working in Egypt.

The sources said that the destiny of the kidnapped girl (17 years) whose father is one of the most influential security figures is unknown yet , efforts are exerted by Yemeni diplomats in the Yemeni Embassy in Cairo, to contain the issue to avoid the intervention of Egyptian security authorities in Cairo, fearing any information to be leaked on the nature of tasks.

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A source associated with the fuel industry in Sana'a said that the oil company Canadian Nexen, has started negotiating with the Yemeni Government on renewing it's license of oil exploration and production in sector 14 in Hadarmout governorate. He explained that the Canadian company's license ends this year, and that the company is negotiating for an additional five years to continue it's oil activity in Yemen, after getting positive indication for new rights.

Vice President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi discussed last week with a company delegation, headed by Vice President of International Affairs, Middle East, Africa, and South America, Rick Jensen, the activation of work and production of the company, and the future of the relations and partnership with Yemen. Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi also stressed throughout the meetings the importance of working on increasing production especially considering the conditions Yemen is going through. Jensen assured the Vice President that the company will do all that's in its power to raise its production and improve its efforts.

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Sayun : A peaceful demonstration today turned into violence and looting of shops and security forces fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.


Masdar Online : Elaf Website, which broadcasts from London, said from unnamed sources they described as "confirmed" that the Russian government apologized from receiving the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for completing his treatment in Moscow. 


A mass march in Ibb today demanding the topple of regime's remains and condemning the Republican guard attacks on Arhab, Taiz and Abyan. 


A martyr and two injured in Arhab today when Republican Guard forces located in Al-Sama'a camp shelled civilians at dawn today.


Taiz Taraweeh Prayer in Freedom Square


Hadramout :Firing an RPG on a checkpoint at Sayaon-Al-Katen road and reports about injuries 


Hadramout : One wounded in Al-Sharej in solidarity demos with Al-Shaher


Hadramout : Burning qat market in Al-Sharj in Muklla and stopping vehicle traffic in the old neighborhoods of Muklla leading to security camps


Masdar Online : Two protesters injured during the dispersal of the security forces for a demonstration in Al-Mukalla demanding the release of Ba'oom and condemning the events of the city of Shahr.


An official from the institution of electricity said that the reason for the return of power is that Marib gas station returned to normal in feeding the national grid with two units capacity 220 MW after the repair work on power lines of high pressure Marib - Sanaa, 400 kV, while the third unit will be introduced in a few hours.


In a serious development, a number of security forces currently raided some homes in the city of Mukalla.


Security forces opened fire on citizens of Mukalla in front of Bazaraa Mosque.




A march in Taiz this evening chanting slogans condemning Ahmed Saleh, head of the Republican Guards responsible for killing civilians and protesters.


Eyewitness: Gunmen in a car opened fire on two soldiers from Rescue Police when they were at the gate of Aden's Security Administration


Aden: A medical source in Al-Jomhoria Hospital:Death of one soldier and wounding another when being shot by unknown gunmen in Khormaksar, the attackers fled 


One soldier from the Yemeni Security forces was killed at dawn after unknowns were driving an 89 model SUV along the road between Al-Thaqafah and Al-Zera'a roundabouts and fired live bullets on a number of soldiers on their way back to Aden Security Department downtown Khormaksar. Medical sources in Al-Jumhoria Educational Hospital said that the soldier that died was shot straight in the head and another one was injured in his chest, affirming that he is in critical condition. 


Sounds of explosions are continuously heard from Arhab area, north of Sana'a- getting stronger during these moments.



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