Sanaa , Yemen ( CNN ) -- Yemen 's embattled president was on his way to the United States for medical treatment Monday , officials said . President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Yemen on Sunday and stopped in Oman before continuing Monday on a trip to the United States , Yemeni government sources said . The purpose of Saleh 's U.S. trip is a `` private medical visit , '' the Yemeni Embassy in Washington said in a statement Sunday . `` The president will travel back to Yemen in February to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected president , '' the statement said . At least six family members were with Saleh , two senior Yemeni government officials said . Saleh was wounded in a June bomb attack on his presidential palace . His request to travel to the United States has been approved , the U.S. State Department said Sunday . `` As we have indicated , the sole purpose of this travel is for medical treatment and we expect that he will stay for a limited time that corresponds to the duration of this treatment , '' the department said in a statement . Saleh became the fourth Arab leader forced from power last year when he signed a Gulf Cooperation Council power transfer deal aimed at ending his country 's months-long political crisis . On Saturday , lawmakers in Yemen approved a controversial law giving Saleh immunity from prosecution -- a key element of the November deal . In return , Saleh will step down from power in Yemen next month after ruling the country for more than 33 years . Although the deal was hailed by opposition parties in Yemen , youth protesters and international rights groups called the immunity a violation of international law . Protesters have demonstrated for months in Yemen , calling for Saleh to step down . Saleh apologized to his people and called for protesters to stop demonstrations in a speech broadcast on Yemeni state television before his departure Sunday . `` Young men , go back to your homes , go to your families . I feel sorry for you , I call on you to go back to your homes and start a new page with the new leadership , '' he said . But word that Saleh had left the country did not quell protesters ' criticisms there . Protesters set up tents in Sanaa Monday , repeating anti-Saleh chants for hours . Organizers said protests against Saleh and his ruling family would continue for months -- just as they did when the president was in Saudi Arabia for treatment after the June attack . `` Saleh left ( for ) Saudi months ago , but came back . It 's not over for Saleh , '' said Hussein Mansoor , a protester in Sanaa . `` We want him to come back to Yemen so that he is tried for his crimes . '' Mansoor said that Saleh does not deserve immunity and must be held accountable . `` Saleh will end up like ( former Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ) Ben Ali , ( former Egyptian President Hosni ) Mubarak , or ( former Libyan leader Moammar ) Ghadafi . There is no fourth option , '' he said . Journalist Hakim Almasmari reported from Sanaa . CNN 's Mohammed Jamjoom reported from Abu Dhabi .
NEW : Protesters continue demonstrations in U.S. 's capital . Yemeni government sources say President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Oman Monday . He is scheduled to return to Yemen in June , the embassy says . CNN says Saleh can come to the Yemen for medical treatment .