Yemen president blasts succession claims

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's president blasted opposition claims of a planned handover of power to his son, describing such talk as "utmost rudeness" and insisting there will be no father-to-son succession in his country.

Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for nearly 32 years but faces growing dissent, also said in a televised speech late Sunday that he will increase salaries for the armed forces in a measure apparently meant to ensure the army's loyalty.

The Yemeni capital, Sanaa, has seen three days of protests since Saturday, inspired by Tunisia's turmoil that ousted that country's longtime ruler. The Yemeni protesters have demanded Saleh step down and that his son doesn't take over.

Saleh has long been believed to be grooming his son Ahmed, who commands the republican guard and the army's special forces, to succeed him.



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