YEMEN PRESIDENT INJURED IN ATTACK ON PALACE

Yemen President Saleh injured in attack on palace

      Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been slightly injured in an attack on his compound in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and is in hospital, officials say, as pitched battles continue between government forces and armed tribesmen. The PM and parliament speaker were also reported hurt and four guards killed. Thousands meanwhile attended a funeral for 50 people killed in the violence. The United States has sent an envoy to the Gulf to discuss ways of stopping the violence, which has brought Yemen to the brink of civil war. More than 350 people have been killed since the uprising started in January, but least 135 of them have died in the past 10 days.

Saleh

     This is the first attack on the presidential palace since the clashes started.His forces were intending to crush Hamid al-Ahmar's forces. They have moved the fight from the north of the city in Hassaba to the south in Hadda, a residential upper-class area occupied by diplomats, top officials and businessmen. Sheikh Ahmar's house is there and has been heavily targeted. But the president's army is not as powerful as it was. Its first division, led by Gen Ali Mohsen, has defected to the opposition and has not been involved in the fighting yet. But if it did become involved, it would mean a declaration of war.The retaliation against President Saleh's compound could expand into further clashes in the capital. It is also being seen as a sign that the end is near for him.Western and regional powers have been urging Mr Saleh to sign a Gulf Co-operation Council-brokered deal that would see him hand over to his deputy in return for an amnesty from prosecution.

           There has been heavy fighting in the northern Sanaa district of Hassaba since last week between Mr Saleh's forces and tribesman loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribal confederation.Explosions were heard in the south of the capital for the first time. Witnesses said the army had shelled the home of Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar, a leader of the opposition Islah party, in the Hadda district.

                                                               Prof.John Kurakar