Saleh calls visit to Russia productive

MOSCOW, Feb. 27 (Saba) - In an interview with the Russian newspaper
Frimia Novosti, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said that his visit to
Russia was successful on all fronts.

Saleh said the outcomes of the visit reflected the keenness of the
two countries to refresh their deep-rooted ties.

He renewed calls on Russian investors to invest in Yemen
particularly in the fields of energy, fish and gas and oil, assuring
them they will receive all facilitations.

Regarding the fight against piracy off Somalia's coast, President
Saleh said there should be major international efforts to hinder
pirate attack, pointing to a Yemeni initiative to set up a region
anti-piracy center to share information about anti-piracy operations.

In reply to a question on Yemen's role in healing the rift between
the rival Palestinian factions, President Saleh said Yemen is making
great efforts to reconcile Palestinians, a move which comes within
Yemen's interest in the establishment of pan-Arab integration.

Welcoming US President Barack Obama's decision to close the US
prison at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Saleh renewed calls to release
the Yemeni detainees at the jail as soon as possible, saying Yemen
is ready to receive its nationals and rehabilitate them.

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived in Moscow Tuesday on the
second leg of an overseas trip he kicked on Monday. Syria was the
start of Saleh's tour.

He held talks with his Russian counterpart and senior officials that
focused on means to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields
particularly in the military and economic areas.

On Thursday night, President left Moscow heading to Tajikistan where
he will discuss with Tajik president and officials bilateral
economic ties.

On Monday, Saleh will fly to Indonesia on the final stop his trip.

In the country, President Saleh will attend the fifth World Islamic
Economic Forum on "Food, Energy and Finance Security.

FR