"President Obama called President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen on February 2 to welcome the significant reform measures that President Saleh had announced earlier that day, and to stress that President Saleh now needs to follow-up his pledge with concrete actions," White House said in a statement.
Obama asked Yemeni security forces to show restraint and refrain from violence against demonstrators, who are exercising their right to free association, assembly and speech.
The US President told Saleh it is imperative that Yemen takes forceful action against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to protect innocent lives in Yemen as well as abroad.
"President Obama expressed concern over the release of Abd-Ilah al-Shai, who had been sentenced to five years in prison for his association with AQAP," it said.
Saleh thanked Obama for US' support and said Yemen is committed to continuing and strengthening its relations with the United States, White House stated.
Published 04 February 2011, 03:29 IST