8 Jul 2011

President seen on TV

12:58 pm on 8 July 2011

President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen has appeared on television for the first time since being badly burned in an attack on his palace last month.

He did not move his arms and both his hands were bandaged.

He is still receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Saleh has refused to step down and has resisted several attempts at mediated solutions.

He thanked Saudi Arabia for treating his injuries.

CNN says the appearance is part of the president's preparations to resume his role. He has been in power for 33 years.