CAIRO: Former Yemen strongman, Ali Abdullah Saleh, reportedly asked President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi to dispatch the 1st Republican Guards Brigade for his personal protection, stressing that as former head of the state had to ensure his protection. Several of Saleh's associated told Bikyamasr.com that the autocrat had always been paranoid about his personal security and safety, stressing that last year's bomb attack profoundly marked him. “He is aware more than ever that some of his enemies will stop at nothing to get rid of him. Saleh is definitely feeling insecure now that he is not in power anymore.” According to Ola newspaper which is owned by Ahmed Saleh, President Saleh's eldest son announced on Sunday that President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi had categorically refused. Saleh whose nephew, Tarek was recently demoted from his position as Head of the Presidential Guards, asked for Hadi to appoint him as Commander of the 1st Republican Guards Brigade instead of sending to the eastern province of Hadramaut. So far, Hadi is dis-inclined to listen to his former boss. Moreover, as the UN Security Council and the GCC countries are urging Saleh to make himself scarce and allow Hadi to rule unchallenged, he would have agreed to leave for the UAE for a while. Those close to him however seemed perplex, saying that President Saleh felt Yemen was his best bet as rights groups were still trying to have him tried for crimes against humanity.
