Yemen's Saleh to leave U.S. Feb 18

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemen's outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh is to leave the United States for an unknown destination on February 18, news website Mareb Press reported Friday, February 10 citing a Yemeni official source.

Saleh's departure from the U.S. follows pressure from Yemeni activists and U.S. media, added the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Last weekend, Yemeni protesters attempted to throw their shoes at Saleh outside his residence in New York, but were stopped by police, according to the report.

Saleh, 69, arrived in the U.S. for medical treatment in late January.

He was severely wounded in June during an attack on the presidential palace in the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

After ruling Yemen for 33 years, Saleh signed a United Nations-sponsored deal in November granting him immunity from prosecution in return for relinquishing power.

His opponents are pressing for his prosecution, for allegedly ordering a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protesters during an uprising that started last February.

Yemen is being ruled by acting president Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi in Saleh's absence. Hadi is the sole contender in an early presidential election scheduled for February 21, M&C reported, citing DPA.