Sana’a, March 23: Yemen’s embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh Tuesday urged army defectors to reconsider, warning of a “civil war” and a possible coup amid growing anger at his 32-year-old rule.
“Those who want to climb up to power through coups should know that this is out of the question. The homeland will not be stable, there will be a civil war, a bloody war. They should carefully consider this,” said Saleh.
The president’s remarks were aired on state-run television, a day after two top security officials defected to join his opponents.
General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the military commander of Yemen’s north-western area, and Mohamed Ali Mohsen, the commander of the country’s western area, said Monday they would no longer serve Saleh and would join those calling for his ouster instead.
Both are also members of Hashed, which is Saleh’s tribe.
The defections follow the killing of more than 50 people in an assault on protesters gathered in Taghyeer, or Change Square, in Sana’a Friday.
Saleh Tuesday invited the officers to desist.
“I call upon the military leaders who have joined the protesters to reconsider their decision and return to the army ranks,” he said.
The army has already released a statement pledging support for the president and vowing to prevent a takeover of power.
A funeral was held in Sana’a Tuesday for one of those killed in Friday’s assault. Mourners were chanting “Saleh, the killer, you must stand trial!” as they took the body to the graveyard.
“President Saleh should not only leave, he has to stand trial after the massacre he committed against the protesters,” said one protester.
Witnesses had said security agents in civilian clothes fired live bullets at protesters from rooftops Friday, aiming at the head and chest. However, Saleh denied that police fired at protesters and blamed the attack on thugs.
A series of officials defected from the government following the attack, the latest is the head of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Yasin Al-Masoudi, who resigned from the ruling party and joined protesters in the square.
Journalists at the 14 October state-run newspaper in the main southern city of Aden have joined anti-regime protesters and decided to cease publishing the paper, according to broadcaster Al Jazeera.
The decision was taken to “protest against instructions from the Ministry of Information” determining the newspaper’s editorial line, one journalist said.
Meanwhile, the Yemen Post reported on its website Tuesday that armed men under the command of the country’s Ministry of Interior attacked Al Jazeera’s office in the capital, confiscating video equipment.
Yemeni authorities had Friday deported two Al Jazeera correspondents. Earlier in the year, Saleh accused the Qatar-based channel of serving Zionist interests and distorting coverage of the unrest.
Despite moves to solidify his power, Saleh is facing growing domestic and international calls to step down.
Yemen’s representative to the Arab League called for a peaceful transition of power, according to Al Arabiya.
On Monday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Saleh must resign.
Demonstrations began in Yemen in February, following popular uprisings against long-time rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.
President Saleh has been in power since 1978 and is a key US ally.
-Agencies