Yemeni President accuses Saudi Arabia of occupying Yemeni Island

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has accused Saudi troops of attacking al-Dweira island in the Red Sea. He said the attacks resulted in the deaths of three Yemenis while another nine were reported wounded.

Both Saudi Arabia and Yemen lay claim to the disputed island.

Observers say that disputes between the two states over marine borders may have promted this latest conflict, despite promising signs and statements that progress was being made in the Yemeni - Saudi border demarcation negotiations.

Nevertheless, the Yemeni president praised King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and described him as a unique among Arab leaders. He asserted that Yemen will continue efforts to negotiate with Saudi Arabia.

For his part, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal said he will "head for Saudi Arabia today or tomorrow at the invitation of his Saudi counterpart prince Saud al-Faisal to discuss recent developments." But he warned that if a solution is not reached his country will ask for international arbitration.