SALEH ORDERS TO FREE PROTEST-LINKED DETAINEES IN SOUTH

SANA'A, May 17 (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered the
leadership of Lahj province to release prisoners held in connection
with protests organized by the secessionist movement in the south.

The order coincides with preparations for marking the twentieth
anniversary of the unification, May 22nd.

In response to the directive, dozens of the detainees have already
been released.

FR