The source said Saudi physicians have told the Yemeni president that he
required treatment for burns suffered from a rocket attack on his compound
in Sanaa on June 2. The physicians also helped persuade Saleh that he should
not address the Yemeni people with his face covered in burns.
Saleh has sought to return to Yemen to continue his duties as president.
His spokesman, Ahmed Al Sufi, said Saleh had been scheduled to give a
television address to Yemen by June 29, an appearance that never took place.
"He has been able to communicate with his family back home, but his
activities have been severely restricted by the Saudis," the source said.
The sources said the Saudi royal family appealed to Saleh to abdicate
power amid the revolt in Yemen. They said Saudi King Abdullah has promised
Saleh asylum in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom.
Saleh's son, Ahmed, has been operating the military and security forces
in the president's absence. In late June, Ahmed was said to have ordered the
arrest of up to 50 officers, most of them from the Republican Guard, on
suspicion of contacts with the opposition.