Southern Yemen leader sees independence referendum soon

ADEN – Yemen's former Aden governor, who has declared a council that seeks secession for southern Yemen, said late on Friday a referendum on independence would be announced soon.

Aidaroos al-Zubaidi, who governed Yemen's main southern city of Aden until he was sacked at the end of April by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, made his announcement during an interview with a local news channel.

He also said that an important announcement would be made on Saturday during a gathering called for by the council he presides over to celebrate 54 years since Yemen's Oct. 14, 1963 uprising against the British.