Yemeni President: al-Houthi is an ill man, mentally abnormal
Yemen, Politics, 7/9/2004

The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh described the Yemeni opposition scholar Bader Eddine al-Houthi as " sick and mentally abnormal." This was expressed during the visit the Yemeni president made to the faculty of police and the higher institute for officers.

Saleh said "we have been since more than one year, making a dialogue with this simple misled group in Saadeh province, but it is a misconception that the government keeps a blind eye and this is because of a weakness in the political system." The Yemeni news agency reported quoting Saleh as saying " the revolution was held and united the nation on republican basics and there is no problem," but he stressed that there are outlaws extremist forces. Saleh said during his visit to the faculty of police to confirm that al-Houthi and his group provoke violence for their " selfish interests." During his meeting several days ago with a group of Yemeni clergy, Saleh called on al-Houthi to surrender himself, promising him a just trial.

However, the number of killing in the clashes taking place since June 18 between the government's forces and al-Houthi supporters in Sadaah governorate reached 166 persons including 125 of al-Houthi supporters.

Worthy mentioning that al-Houthi is a former Yemeni parliament member in the period between 1993- 1997. He is the son of one senior al-Zeidi Shiite community reference which constitutes a majority in north west Yemen, but a minority in Yemen which is a Sunni majority.

Previous Stories:
  One of al-Houthi main aid killed, Abu Hafs groups threaten to target Yemen   (7/7/2004)
  Yemeni forces kill scores of al-Houthi supporters   (7/6/2004)
  Saleh calls for saving blood, continued confrontations between the Yemeni army and al-Houthi   (7/5/2004)

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