Sanaa, Yemen (AHN) – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh left his country on Saturday for Saudi Arabia to undergo treatment for shrapnel wounds suffered during an attack of the presidential compound the day before.

Protesters seeking Saleh’s ouster since January rejoiced over the news that he had fled though the spokesman of the ruling party, Tarik al- Shami, said the leader will return home after his treatment in Riyadh to complete his term until 2013.

Yemeni Vice-President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is now temporarily in charge of the country and is acting as the commander of the armed forces and security services.

Witnesses saw Saleh stepped off a medical plane in Riyadh. He was accompanied by 35 members of his family, including his wife, the prime minister and the speaker of Yemen’s parliament.

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters celebrated outside the Sanaa University Square upon learning Saleh’s departure.

Meanwhile, protesters attacked soldiers in the southern city of Taiz on Sunday killing four troops. One attacker was also killed.

In the southern port city of Aden, militants attacked an army checkpoint wounding two soldiers.

The protesters have been demanding the resignation of Saleh, who has ruled the country for 33 years. Clashes between protesters and troops trying to quell demonstrations have killed 160 people.

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