Saleh calls for comprehensive national reconciliation

Ousted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh called for “comprehensive national reconciliation” yesterday, which does not exclude any side in Yemen, in order to end the two-year war in the country, Anadolu reported.

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the start of his reign in Yemen, Saleh said: “I call for a comprehensive Yemeni reconciliation which does not exclude any side in Yemen and to stand united for the sake of the country and to save the remnants of it.”

A news website affiliated to Saleh’s party posted his remarks: “The strong and united national stance makes the brothers and the coalition feel the size of their crime which they committed against the Yemeni [people]. Therefore, they will accept your faithful, united stance.”

Saleh was referring to the legitimate Yemeni government led by Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi which has been receiving military support from the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis and Saleh since March 2015.

Houthis, Shia militant groups and Saleh have been accused of receiving military assistance from Iran. They control several Yemeni cities, including the capital Sana’a.

Read: Former Yemen president incites fight against Saudi Arabia

In his call Saleh said that he does not seek power. “We must sacrifice authority and money, as well as affiliation to external powers,” he said, noting that the victims are the Yemeni people.

He noted that when Yemenis stand together they are strong and if they are united when they enter talks with the different sides they will achieve good results.

Yemen has been embroiled in war for more than two years. Thousands have been killed and more than 40,000 Yemenis wounded. Some three million out of 27 million have been internally displaced.