Saleh Not Returning to Yemen: Official

Last week's rumors could be coming to pass ... or they could still be rumors: Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh will not return to his country, an unnamed top Saudi official tells AFP, adding that it is not clear if Saleh, who is being treated for injuries in Riyadh, will stay in Saudi Arabia or settle in another country. But a ruling party official in Yemen today insisted Saleh plans to return home in days, the AP reports.

Pressure has been increasing on his deputy, Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, to create an interim ruling council and prevent Saleh's return. On Wednesday, Hadi met with representatives of the protesters demanding Saleh's exit; they gave him two weeks to decide whether or not to oust Saleh. He also opened up talks with the parliamentary opposition, a move the US supported. (More Ali Abdullah Saleh stories.)