SANAA - Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Wednesday he would not be dragged into civil war despite clashes with the leader of a powerful tribal confederation who has sided with protesters seeking his ouster.

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"What happened was a provocative act to drag us into civil war, but it is limited to the Ahmar sons. They bear responsibility for shedding the blood of innocent civilians. Until this second, they are attacking the interior ministry. But we don't want to widen the confrontation," Saleh told selected media.