30,000 soldiers to secure Gulf Cup in Yemen, Saleh says

Saba
SANA’A, Oct. 02 (Saba) – About 30,000 soldiers from security and armed forces are to be deployed to secure the events of the 20th Gulf Cup, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday.In a statement President Saleh made after a tour of inspection for the service and development projects and sport facilities for the 20th Gulf Cup, the President said that the security arrangements for the 20th Gulf Cup would include a full security plan consists of three security fences to protect the 20 Gulf Cup facilities in governorates of Aden, Abyan and Lahj.”The security fears, which are raised by media, are incorrect” the president said, adding that “We are confident that the Yemeni people will be the guard for this sport event” to be held on November 22 – December 05.Speaking on holding all football matches in Aden and excluding Abyan governorate, the President accented that plans have been prepared to insure things will going well in Abyan.”There is no worry from al-Qaeda”, Saleh said. The security forces have cracked down the terrorists in Abyan governorate and hunting al-Qaeda members anywhere they are, he added.The President talked about the sport facilities he had visited in Aden and Abyan, saying that October 30th is the deadline to accomplish all the projects, as the concerned ministers had stated.Earlier, President Saleh carried out a tour of inspection at the sport facilities for the 20th Gulf Cup to be implemented in the Aden and Abyan governorates at a total cost of YR 120 billion.The inspection tour takes the President to al-Wehda Stadium in Abyan governorate amounting to YR 13 billion. The percentage of the achieved works in the 23,000-spectator stadium reaches in the 95 percent. It is implemented in accordance with the international standards approved by FIFA.He also inspected the rehabilitation works in the 22 May Stadium in Aden governorate, whose capacity is 30,000 spectators. The President was acquainted with accomplished works in the stadium to meet with the FIFA standards. The rehabilitation of the 22 May Stadium costs YR 4.8 billion.Saleh visited training stadiums of al-Tilal and al-Shu’alah clubs, which are two of the six training stadiums have been outfitted at a cost of YR 3 billion for the training exercises of the 20th Gulf Cup participating teams. The President’s tour included al-Qasr Hotel complex to be carried out in Aden governorate by Asas Company at a cost of $150 million. The hotel will be completed by November 15.Moreover, the President visited the new hospital of Aden Refinery Company, which is being equipped currently amounting to $3 million, to be completed late in the current October. The Aden refinery’s old hospital is also being rehabilitated and expanded now.Saleh also inspected the Aden Hotel, which is being rehabilitated and new facilities are being put up, at a sum of $37 million financing by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (AFD).Finally, the President paid a visit to the Hospitality Camp, affiliated Aden Refinery Company, which contains 100 beds.Then, he listened from Aden Governor Adnan al-Jiffry to a report on the infrastructure projects carried out in Aden governorate within the preparations for the 20 Gulf Cup, including projects of roads, electricity, health, sanitation and telecommunication amounting to YR 58 billion.During the inspection tour, the president has given his directives to accelerate works and to be carried out under the required conditions. He also ordered to rehabilitate the Hospitality Camp to be ready to host the guests of the grand sport event.AF/AF