Group of Yemenis approach president seeking protection from tribal leader

Sana'a: A group of Yemenis approached President Ali Abdullah Saleh and sought protection after a tribal leader drove them out of their village for not recognizing the leader's authority.

"We want to join the republic; we want to deal with the government, not with the shaikh (leader)," said one of the 100 banished Yemenis after arriving in Sana'a, the capital, from Al Ja'ashen in Ibb province, some 230 southwards.

The group said they would demonstrate in Sana'a until a solution is found.