Washington: Yemen`s President Ali Abdullah
Saleh called a senior White House aide on Thursday to express regret
over his searing criticism of Israel and the United States
over Arab uprisings, officials said.
Saleh called President Barack Obama`s top anti-terrorism
advisor John Brennan a day after the White House complained he
was scapegoating, after he said Arab uprisings were an Israeli
plot backed by Washington.
"President Saleh called assistant to the president John
Brennan this morning to convey his regret for
misunderstandings related to his public remarks that Israel
and the United States have engaged in destabilizing activities
in Arab countries," the White House said in a statement.
"President Saleh also said that he is firmly committed to
meaningful political reform in Yemen and that he is reaching
out to opposition elements in an effort to achieve reform
through a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful process.
"Mr Brennan expressed appreciation for the call and said
that any comments that seek to attribute blame for recent
developments in the region are unhelpful, as they ignore the
legitimate aspirations of people in the Arab world.
Brennan also encouraged Saleh to continue to reach out to
opposition groups, amid mass protests against his rule in
Yemen and called on all sides of the political dispute to
eschew violence.
PTI
