Yemen's Saleh says to leave for treatment in United States

It's a mistake. But typical of the U.S. government. Let's not forget what happened with the Shah:

Yemen's outgoing president Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Sunday he would leave for medical treatment in the United States and return to continue leading the ruling party, but gave no indication of when he would leave the troubled country.

A source close to Saleh said he was set to leave within the next few hours for the United States via neighboring Oman.

"God willing, I will leave for treatment in the United States and I will return to Sanaa as head of the General People's Congress party," Saleh was quoted by the state news agency Saba as telling a meeting with party officials.

Saleh, who was granted immunity from prosecution under a law passed by parliament on Saturday, also asked Yemenis to forgive him for mistakes made during his rule.

"I ask for pardon from all Yemeni men and women for any shortcoming that occurred during my 33-year rule and I ask forgiveness and offer my apologies to all Yemeni men and women," he said. "Now we must concentrate on our martyrs and injured."

Thousands of Yemenis protested on Sunday against Saleh's immunity and demanded he be put on trial for offences they say he committed during his rule.

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