Yemen’s VP: Saleh’s Injuries Severe, Security Deteriorating

Yemeni acting President said the security in the country was deteriorating after the government has lost control over five provinces, noting that President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s wounds were so severe.

In an interview with CNN, Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansoor Hadi said Saleh's wounds from what he described as an assassination attempt were so severe that he has no idea when the president will return from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Hadi said he saw Saleh immediately after the bomb attack. The 68-year-old ruler's chest had been pierce by a piece of wood and his face, arms and upper body had been burned, Hadi said. But, he added, the president's health was improving daily.

Hadi has been Yemen's acting president since June 3, when Saleh was wounded in an attack on the mosque at the presidential palace.

The VP detailed how U.S. drones were using voice recognition to target al Qaeda leaders and help the government win back control.
Hadi said there are two types of drones.
"One is taking pictures and collecting information, and the other one is carrying missiles. Drones carrying missiles, actually these missiles could not be fired ... unless the voice of the enemy himself is recorded," he said.

Often, he said, the United States provides the targeting information and Yemeni military forces carry out the attacks.

He also countered opposition accusations that he had no power, saying he has been given full authority to sign a new, U.N.-sponsored peace proposal. He outlined plans that were even less favorable to Saleh's opponents than a Gulf Cooperation Council initiative he has already turned down.

Hadi said the new deal would have Saleh stepping down only when a new president has been elected, a far cry from the Gulf Council proposal that would have Saleh handing power to Hadi after 30 days with new elections within 60 days.