Yemeni president leaves Saudi hospital

SAN'A, Yemen -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh has left a hospital in Saudi Arabia more than two months after being severely wounded in an attack on his palace compound in San'a, Yemen's state news agency said yesterday.

He has not yet returned to Yemen, though. A Yemeni government official said that Saleh, who checked out of a hospital in the Saudi capital Saturday, officially asked Saudi authorities to allow his return to Yemen along with a medical team. His request apparently was denied, at least for now, the official said.

The ailing president moved from the hospital to a Saudi government residence in Riyadh to further recuperate, SABA state news agency said.

A second Yemeni official said Saleh will remain in Riyadh for now because he is still under medical supervision. "We don't know yet when he will return to the country, but soon, God willing," the official said.

Both government officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.

Saleh's prolonged absence from Yemen has only added to the uncertainty and instability in the country, the Arab world's poorest. There are fears his return could throw Yemen into further chaos.

The anti-government protests show no signs of abating, and the economy lies in tatters. Islamist militants, some believed to have links to al-Qaida, have also seized upon the growing chaos to take over entire towns in the south.

Vice President Abed Rabo Mansour Hadi is nominally in charge. But the real power appears to be Saleh's son, who controls some of the best-trained military forces, and the powerful Hashid tribal confederation, which opposes the regime. -- AP