SANAA, Yemen, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- President Ali Abdullah Saleh has decided not to go to the United States for medical treatment because his country needs him at home, a Yemeni official says.
U.S. officials had agreed reluctantly to allow Saleh to enter the country, hoping his absence from Yemen would speed the transition to a unity government. But a government spokesman, Abdu al-Janadi, said Wednesday members of Saleh's governing party had asked him to remain in Yemen to assist in the political transition in the country, which has been racked by recent strikes and demonstrations, The New York Times reported.
Saleh has been president of Yemen for 33 years. Since mass protests began in the country early last year, he has said several times he would step down -- but he has yet to follow through.
He was severely injured in an assassination attempt last year.
Presidential elections are scheduled for February. Saleh's party and several opposition groups have agreed to unite behind his deputy, Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi.
