Yemen: President Saleh 'ready to pass power to safe hands'

Yemen's president Ali Abdullah Saleh yesterday declared he was ready to cede power to stop more bloodshed in the country - but only to what he called "safe hands" - as tens of thousands rallied against him in the capital, Sanaa.

Western countries fear al-Qaeda militants in the Arabian peninsula country could exploit disorder if Mr Saleh, a US and Saudi ally fighting for his political life, steps down after 32 years in office.

"We don't want power, but we need to hand power over to safe hands, not to sick, resentful or corrupt hands," he said in a speech shown on state television.

"We are against firing a single bullet and when we give concessions, this is to ensure there is no bloodshed."

Protesters, encamped in their thousands outside Sanaa University for six weeks, declared yesterday a "Day of Departure" when they hoped to bring hundreds of thousands on to the streets to oust Mr Saleh.

Similar mass protests on 18 March left 52 people dead, apparently gunned down by snipers.