| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Arabia | |
| Yemen troops encircle ex-president mosque amid coup fears | |
| 2014-06-16 | |
| Yemeni troops were on Sunday surrounding a Sanaa mosque controlled by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh amid concerns he is plotting a coup, a source close to the presidency said. Saleh had ruled Yemen for 33 years before he was forced to resign in February, 2012. He was replaced by his longtime deputy President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi under a UN and Gulf-sponsored deal. Presidential guard troops backed by armoured vehicles blocked access to the large Al Saleh mosque in Sanaaâs southern district, an AFP correspondent reported. The source close to the presidency said that weapons had been stored in the mosque
A tunnel connecting the site to the presidential palace had been discovered. Hadi suspects his predecessor is âplotting a coupâ, the source said, without elaborating further. The surrounding of the mosque late on Saturday came days after the authorities shut down a newspaper and television channel owned by Saleh. The media outlets, both named Yemen Today, have often been singled out for their coverage, seen as biased against the government formed after Salehâs departure. They have also been accused of inciting protests in Sanaa against power cuts and water and fuel shortages. Although weakened, Saleh still heads the influential General Peopleâs Congress (GPC) political party and retains the loyalty of some elements in the military. Critics accuse him of impeding the countryâs political transition. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |