Presidential elections started in Yemen

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh asserted on Thursday that there is no retreating from the democratic progress in his country.

AFP quoted President Saleh as saying after he cast his vote in the presidential elections which started on Thursday that the election "is the first tradition of its kind in Yemen and is considered as a base for the future so as any ruler cannot change such a tradition in the future."

President Saleh added that this step is a good start for the establishment of democratic traditions, and high-ranking officials and the average people can practice their constitutional roles and cast their votes to choose their candidates.

5.5 million Yemeni are of voting age.