Yemeni leader makes rare speech to supporters

[March 25, 2011]  SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Yemen's longtime ruler says he's ready to leave power but he doesn't trust his opposition, whom he called "drug dealers."

Ali Abdullah Saleh spoke in a rare appearance before a crowd of tens of thousands of supporters outside his presidential palace in the Yemeni capital Friday on a day of dueling demonstrations.

Across town, many more protesters gathered in a square to demand his ouster. They have done so for weeks, putting Saleh under pressure.

The Yemeni ruler of more than three decades says he wants to leave power peacefully, but his harsh descriptions of his opposition suggest defiance.

He accused his opponents of being a "small minority" and said they were drug dealers, money launderers and leaders of a rebellion in the country's north.

___

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

___

SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Witnesses say Yemeni forces are trying to prevent anti-government protesters from reaching the capital Sanaa.

The troops are manning checkpoints on roads leading to Sanaa, trying to identify protesters. Witnesses say they have prevented some from entering. The witnesses declined to be named, fearing retribution.

Protesters are trying to gather a million people Friday to demand the ouster of Yemen's ruler of three decades, Ali Abdullah Saleh

The witnesses said security forces are allowing pro-Saleh demonstrators to enter the capital in buses.

Last Friday, security forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing more than 40. Following their deaths, Saleh lost key support in his inner circle.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.