Gunmen loyal to Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh (on the poster) take part in a rally to protest threatened UN sanctions against the ousted strongman and insurgent chiefs on November 7, 2014 in Sanaa (AFP Photo/Mohammed Huwais)
DUBAI: Yemen’s ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh said in an interview broadcast Friday he had rejected “millions of dollars” Saudi Arabia offered him if he stood up to the Shiite rebels.
“They told us ‘we’ll pay you millions of dollars if you ally with us'” against the Huthis, Saleh told the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen television channel, adding that he rejected the offer.
He accused the Sunni-ruled kingdom of seeking to sow “sedition” in his country, saying its “hatred” for the Huthis was “sectarian”.
The former strongman, who ruled Yemen for three decades before being forced out after a year-long popular uprising, insisted: “I will not accept power for myself or my son” Ahmed, who led the elite Republican Guard troops during his rule.
It is unclear where and when the interview took place.
Saudi-led coalition warplanes began an air campaign against the Huthis and forces allied to Saleh in Yemen on March 26.
Saleh still heads Yemen’s influential political party the General People’s Congress, and many people among country’s security forces remain loyal to him. -AFP