SAN’A, Yemen (AP) — Yemen’s president says he is ready to open a dialogue with members of al-Qaida if they lay down their weapons and renounce violence, despite U.S. pressure to crack down on the terror group.
Ali Abdullah Saleh vows his security forces will track down as many al-Qaida fighters as possible among those who refuse to stop violence.
But he told Abu Dhabi television in an interview aired late Saturday, “we are ready to reach understanding with anyone who renounces violence and terrorism,” including al-Qaida.
The U.S. says the al-Qaida offshoot in Yemen has become a global threat after it allegedly plotted a failed attempt to bomb a U.S. passenger jet on Christmas.