The main opposition groups in Yemen on Monday announced a campaign to oust president Ali Saleh. "It's about time for the political parties to lead a mass movement against the corrupt and despotic regime," Mohammed Abdul Malik, head of an alliance of opposition groups, stated during arally in Sanaa.
According to the AP, the groups later said one of their leaders was nabbed by people linked to the authorities. They said Naef al-Qanis was beaten by unidentified people who later moved him to an unknown location.
Meanwhile, Saleh tried to defuse calls for his ouster by denying claims that he plans to install his son as his successor. He also declared raise in salaries for troops. The veteran Yemeni leader delivered a televised speech Sunday night describing talk of him aiming to bequeath power to his son as the "utmost rudeness."
He also announced he was raising salaries for the armed forces.
"We are against succession," Saleh stressed in Sunday's speech to several hundred officers. "We are in favor of change ... and these are rude statements, they are the utmost rudeness."
He accused opposition leaders of trying to take over by rallying people to the streets "while they are hiding in the basement."
