Almotamar.net, Saba - President Ali Abdullah Saleh paid a visit on Thursday to the Island of Socotra. President Saleh inspected the citizens' conditions and got acquainted with the progress in the implementation of service, developmental and tourist projects in the island.

He attended the mass festival, which was held in Hadibo district on the occasion of his visit to the archipelago.

In the festival, attended by members of the local councils and executive offices, social figures, and people, Saleh delivered a speech expressing his happiness to visit the island.

He congratulated the citizens of Socotra on all achievements made in the island, pointing that Socotra would be given more and more because of its social and tourist importance.

"In the past, the island was deprived of transportation and telecommunication means and infrastructure projects, but after Yemen's Reunification on May 22, 1990, the island entered a new era of growth and development", said Saleh.

President Saleh welcomed local, Arab and foreign investments in the island within the framework of the investment law which gives guarantees and privileges for investors.

"The island of Socotra is a safe area and its people are good", he said.

He called for maintaining the privacy of Socotra and its environment and traditions and setting aside any negative phenomena, including carrying weapons.

Saleh pointed out that the parliamentary elections would be held soon in a free and democratic manner, calling on citizens to vote in for their representative in the parliament.

On another hand, President Saleh visited the camp of the First Brigade of Marine Infantry, where he inspected the conditions of officers and soldiers and got acquainted with the level of progress in training and rehabilitation programs.

After that, Saleh visited a military site of the Navy, where he spoke to the site's personnel, referring that the leadership pays attention to establish a branch for the Naval Base in the Island of Socotra.

Furthermore, Saleh visited several areas in the island and inspected conditions of people in those areas.