Prez Saleh flies off to US

President Ali Abdullah Saleh was en route to the United States for medical treatment, Yemen's state news agency said on Monday, after a dramatic farewell speech that left his opponents wary.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh was en route to the United States for medical treatment, Yemen's state news agency said on Monday, after a dramatic farewell speech that left his opponents wary.

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The announcement came a day after Saleh in a televised address apparently marking the end of his rule appealed for forgiveness from the Yemeni people for "any shortcomings" during his 33 years in power.

“The president ... is on his way to the US to continue what is left of his medical treatment" for wounds sustained in a June bomb attack on his compound, SABA news agency said on its website. Saleh left late on Sunday for Oman with his five children and his wife.