We reject outside intervention

JEDDAH: Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would not allow any foreign intervention in its internal affairs. He also reiterated the Kingdom’s opposition to demonstrations, saying it would cause division and unrest in the country.

“We’ll cut off the fingers of those who try to interfere in our internal matters and we reject dictates from any foreign party, be it small or big. We’ll also reject any move that would undermine the Kingdom’s sovereignty,” Prince Saud told reporters.

“As we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, we’ll not allow anybody to interfere in our internal affairs,” the foreign minister said when asked about reports of Iranian instigation for demonstrations inside the Kingdom.

“We hope Iran should be concerned more with demonstrations that are taking place here. In Saudi Arabia we don’t have any demonstrations like in Iran. We would not tolerate any intervention in the Kingdom’s affairs by any foreign party…If we find any foreign intervention we’ll stop it immediately,” he said.

Prince Saud indicated that the Saudi government was ready to bring about more reforms to meet the hopes and aspirations of its citizens. “Change will come through the citizens of this country and not in accordance with the dictates of foreign parties,” he insisted.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s long history. “Since the time of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) our people have been living in this country. They know their interests and requirements and how to reach their objectives. We want to protect their independence and interests.”

Yemen youth find their voice

Sana'a, Yemen (CNN) -- Young people in Yemen's capital Sana'a and elsewhere across the country have been taking to the streets to demand government reforms.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world, and nearly two thirds of the population is under the age of 30, making it a prime target for youth activism.

Opponents of Yemen's long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh have been demonstrating against him since the beginning of the year, part of the wave of popular protests that has been crashing over the Arab world.

Ala'a Jabran, a university student and online activist, involved in a demonstration in Sana'a, said: "We represent youth, we have different demands. Some people want their government to resign, some people don't, some people just want change.

"But we're all here to represent the youth in a civilized way, to demand in our way, and to encourage other people who are afraid to demonstrate."

Yemen has only 45% literacy and low levels of internet access, yet -- as elsewhere in the Middle East -- social media is becoming a key driver for change.