The drive to oust Yemeni President Ali Abdul­lah Saleh took on a new sense of urgency amid reports Tuesday that Christian Louboutin Peep Toe Pumps the injuries he sustained in an attack on his palace last week were more severe than previous­ly stated.

In the streets of this tense capital, many youth activists see a greater opportunity to push through the democratic reforms they have fought for since launching a populist uprising in February. But Saleh’s supporters dismissed reports of his condi­tion as exaggerated and ap­peared intent on demonstrating that without him, Yemen will remain engulfed in chaos.

U.S. officials said Tuesday that the 65-year-old autocrat suffered severe burn and shrapnel wounds that would prevent him from returning to Yemen any­time soon and raised doubts about his ability to rule.

“We have to take advantage christian louboutin sneakers of this moment,” said Riyad Zin- dani, 23, a student at Sanaa University. “A chance has been given to us on a plate of gold.”

If reports about Saleh’s condi­tion are true, it could shift the balance of power in Yemen and speed up a political transition, diplomats and analysts said. Saleh’s extended absence would The hugely expensive U.S. at­tempt at nation-building in Af­ghanistan has had only limited success and may not survive an American withdrawal, according to the findings of a two-year con­gressional investigation to be re­leased Wednesday.