In a televised speech on Monday, Yemen’s most powerful military leader advised President Ali Abdullah Saleh, not to follow the footsteps of Satan and step down from power.
General Ali Mohsen’s speech came on the eve of the Muslim holiday, “Eid al-Fitr”.
He addressed President Saleh saying: “I remind brother Ali Abdullah Saleh and the remnants of his regime that the people do not respect who make fun of them and will not tolerate such actions. He should not follow satan and his wishes."
Mohsen praised the military units in Abyan governorate who are fighting Al-Qaeda, which he said are engaged in heroic operations with courage despite their limited resources, and their old and dilapidated weapons.
Concerning the palace bombing, he expressed surprise at the charges the government announced against him and said that these accusations are used by the remnants of the regime to attack protesters in freedom and change squares around the country.
General Mohsen controls the military’ northern-western region and defected from the government on March 18.