The Yemeni president last week unexpectedly returned home from Saudi Arabia, sparking protests and bloodshed. Now there are reports, his departure was not coordinated with the Saudi hosts.
The Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday quoted a high-level U.S. official, saying that Ali Saleh, who received medical treatment in Saudi Arabia "escaped of the kingdom under the pretext of going to the airport for something else. The United States and the Saudi authorities were not aware that his departure was planned in a smart and crafty way. We are not happy at all what happened. "
The newspaper added that other Western officials also expressed frustration with the return of President Saleh to Yemen.
There are two different versions about the case. Some say he told the Saudis about his decision to move to Ethiopia. Another version claims he told the Saudis he needs to be in the airport to bid farewell to Yemeni officials.
However, sources close to Saleh dismissed the report, describing them as "unfounded allegations." The newspaper also quoted a Yemeni official as saying "It is impossible that this can happen in this way because the presence of President Saleh at the airport means that he will be surrounded by Saudi officials."
