Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh reviews an honour guard at the presidential palace during a visit by Turkey's President Abdullah Gul in Sanaa in this January 10, 2011 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON – Obama administration officials say Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh was more badly injured than thought in a rocket attack on his compound last week.

Three US officials say Saleh has burns covering some 40 percent of his body and is suffering from bleeding inside his skull.

The US officials spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Information about Saleh's condition is circulating in Washington as the US presses for him to leave power.

On Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called for an "immediate transition" in Yemen. She said the country needs a process that "everyone knows is going to lead to the sort of economic and political reforms that they are seeking."

Saleh is in Saudi Arabia receiving medical treatment.