President Saleh orders military operations in Saada suspended

BB, May 22 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced in that military operations in Saada “are suspended on celebrations of reunification anniversary.” He said that he had never received any demands from al-Houthi, just insults, as he said. After a merry celebration held in Ibb province on the 17th anniversary of reunification on this morning, Saleh called al-Houthi and his followers to “understand the message, lay down guns and start dialogue.” State will face violence with violence, he said, but he expressed wishes that “Yemenis use dialogue instead of bullets. “President Saleh greeted the youth and children of Ibb province who presented wonderful performances and announced Ibb a tourist city. All districts of this province are so beautiful to be tourists’ destination. They have distinguished tourism components so will give them priority in our future plans, said Saleh. To reduce the state’s expenditures and use funds in most important projects, President Saleh also announced that festivities on Reunification will be held every three years.” These celebrations cost the state so much, so we will make them every three years instead of yearly celebrations,” said Saleh. Accordingly, Taiz province will host the celebration on 20th anniversary of unification in 2010. NS/NS Saba