Yemeni president heads to US

January 28, 2012

SANAA, Yemen - (AP) -- A presidential spokesman says Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has left Oman on route to the United States.

Spokesman Ahmed al-Soufi says Saleh has arrived in London and will leave later Saturday for New York for medical treatment in the United States. He gives no futher details.

Saleh left Yemen to neighboring Oman a week ago, planning to head to the United States, under pressure from Washington and others to leave his homeland to allow a more peaceful transition from his rule. In November, Saleh handed over his powers to his vice president and promised to step down completely.

But opponents say he has continued to interfere in the work of a unity government through his allies and relatives in key posts.