Ali
Abdullah Saleh has been President of Yemen since reunification in
1990; he was President of North Yemen from 1978. An adherent of
Zaydi Shi'ism, he received minimal schooling, but joined the military
and rose through the ranks to be commissioned as an officer. He was
appointed military governor of Ta'izz; when the president was
assassinated the following year, he became a member of the
provisional executive council, and was subsequently elected President
by Parliament.
Inspired
by the Tunisian Revolution, Yemenis protested for more freedoms, a
better economic situation, and Saleh's resignation. While Saleh
promised to leave office when his term expires in 2013, this did not
placate the protesters. In June, his compound was attacked, injuring
him and killing four bodyguards. He sought medical attention in
Saudi Arabia, where many thought he would remain, but he returned in
September; some expect him to resign soon.
For more information, see http://aje.me/jW4sIm.
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