Yemen battles al Qaeda as president clings to power

(CNN) — Fighting between Yemeni security forces and members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have left people on both sides dead over the past two days, Yemeni security forces said.

The reports came as President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been fighting to hold onto power, arguing that he is best equipped to lead the fight against Islamists.

Three “al Qaeda terrorists were killed” and six others were arrested in Lawdar district, Yemen’s official news agency Saba reported Saturday.

On Sunday, seven Yemeni soldiers were killed and seven others were wounded when members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula attacked them in Mareb, two security officials said. The attack took place at a military checkpoint a mile north of the government complex in Mareb province.

The attackers also used grenades and machine guns, and took two military vehicles from the checkpoint, the security forces said.

After the fighting Saturday, the Yemeni government said it was a sign that strong measures are needed to combat instability within the country. Saba reported that Governor Saleh al-Zawari of Abyan province affirmed “the importance to enhance security performance to strictly confront any attempts to disturb security and stability in the governorate.”

Yemen has been facing protests from people citing government corruption, a lack of political freedom and high unemployment.

Saleh told an Arab television network Saturday that he is “ready to step down with respect and dignity, even within a two hours’ notice.”

Speaking to Al Arabiya, he also warned that some leadership factions in the opposition have a “foreign agenda.”

“The people are afraid of the Islamists,” he said, cautioning against the influence of groups like al Qaeda. “The Arab world, including the Yemeni people, are terrified of the possibility that the Islamists will take control.”

He described himself as a “constitutional president” and the country as “a ticking bomb.”

“Everyone needs to look at Somalia and learn,” he added, describing his country’s tribal roots and the need for compromise.

The interview came one day after after the Yemeni president spoke to thousands at a pro-government demonstration in an effort to underscore his intentions to foster dialogue with anti-government protesters and make concessions to avoid bloodshed.

The embattled president said he would welcome either European mediators or those from the Gulf Cooperation Council to be impartial observers in the talks.

Protesters have called for the ouster of Saleh, who has ruled Yemen since 1978.

The country has been wracked by a Shiite Muslim uprising, a U.S.-aided crackdown on al Qaeda operatives and a looming shortage of water.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates was asked last week about how the United States sees cooperation with Yemen if Saleh were to step down.

“We have had a good working relationship with President Saleh,” Gates told reporters during a trip to Cairo. “He’s been an important ally in the counterterrorism arena. But clearly, there’s a lot of unhappiness inside Yemen. And I think we will basically just continue to watch the situation. We haven’t done any post-Saleh planning, if you will.”

Saleh has said he accepts opposition demands for constitutional reforms and holding parliamentary elections by the end of the year.

He said in a written statement that he was “committed to undertaking all possible initiatives to reach a settlement” with the opposition JMP bloc and “prevent any future bloodshed of the Yemeni people.”

Saleh has also promised not to run for president in the next round of elections.

The president’s standing weakened after some government officials and military officers declared their support for the opposition in the wake of a crackdown on protesters that left 52 people dead.

During Saturday’s interview, Saleh said clashes had resulted in 41 deaths.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for full political dialogue in Yemen involving all players to find a peaceful solution.

Saleh, who has been in power for 32 years, has been a staunch U.S. ally in the fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Last week, Yemen’s parliament approved a 30-day extension of emergency powers Saleh declared in response to protests.

The emergency law expands the government’s powers of arrest, detention and censorship.

CNN’s Mohammed Jamjoom and journalist Hakim Almasmari contributed to this report.