Almotamar.net - ADEN- President Ali Abdullah Saleh confirmed there are more than 2,000 soldiers and officers working for the coast guard forces, and that during 2007 and 2008 these forces will be fully prepared to cover along the Yemeni coastline that stretches over 2,200 km.
This came during his speech delivered at the graduation ceremony for the third batch of the Coast Guard Training Institute in Aden. In his speech, Saleh called on coast guard authority to take on responsibility for controlling anyone trying to infiltrate into Yemeni coasts or to smuggle foods, arms or drugs.
"We have worked to prepare the coast guard forces that reached more than 2,000 individuals, both soldiers and officers, which is good. Now, these forces are responsible for any attempts of infiltration into Yemeni waters, or smuggling of goods, drugs or arms, whose consequences cause big damages to the national economy," Saleh added.
He further referred to the hostile forces that try to defame everything beautiful in the country. "But I am sure they will not be able to scratch or defame everything beautiful that has been realized in the country, especially after the reunification of the country," he said.
Saleh thanked the United Kingdom, United States, France, and Italy for their support to prepare the coast guard training institute