President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Yemen on Sunday and stopped in Oman before continuing Monday on a visit to the us, Yemeni government sources said.
The purpose of Saleh's U.S. trip may be a "private medical visit," the Yemeni Embassy in Washington said in a very statement Sunday.
"The president can travel back to Yemen in February to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected president," the statement said.
At least six members of the family were with Saleh, 2 senior Yemeni government officers said.
Saleh was wounded in a very June bomb attack on his presidential palace.
His request to travel to the us has been approved, the U.S. State Department said Sunday.
"As we've got indicated, the only real purpose of this travel is for medical treatment and that we expect that he can keep for a restricted time that corresponds to the length of this treatment," the department said in a very statement.
Saleh became the fourth Arab leader forced from power last year when he signed a Gulf Cooperation Council power transfer deal aimed toward ending his country's months-long political crisis.
On Saturday, lawmakers in Yemen approved a controversial law giving Saleh immunity from prosecution -- a key part of the November deal.
In return, Saleh can step down from power in Yemen next month when ruling the country for quite thirty three years.
Although the deal was hailed by opposition parties in Yemen, youth protesters and international rights teams referred to as the immunity a violation of international law.
Protesters have demonstrated for months in Yemen, calling for Saleh to step down.
Saleh apologized to his individuals and required protesters to prevent demonstrations in a very speech broadcast on Yemeni state tv before his departure Sunday.
"Young men, return to your homes, visit your families. I feel sorry for you, I decision on you to travel back to your homes and begin a replacement page with the new leadership," he said.
But word that Saleh had left the country didn't quell protesters' criticisms there.
Protesters discovered tents in Sanaa Monday, repeating anti-Saleh chants for hours.
Organizers said protests against Saleh and his ruling family would continue for months -- simply as they did when the president was in Saudi Arabia for treatment when the June attack.
"Saleh left (for) Saudi months ago, however came back. it isn't over for Saleh," said Hussein Mansoor, a protester in Sanaa. "We wish him to return back to Yemen so he's tried for his crimes."
Mansoor said that Saleh doesn't deserve immunity and should be held accountable.
"Saleh can find yourself like (former Tunisian President Zine el Abidine) Ben Ali, (former Egyptian President Hosni) Mubarak, or (former Libyan leader Moammar) Ghadafi. there's no fourth choice," he said.
