France closes Yemen embassy over security
Updated on 04 January 2010
France has become the third Western nation to close its embassy in Yemen to the public over concerns about a possible attack by militants linked to al-Qaida.
The French Foreign Ministry said security had already been high at its embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, but in a statement today said, "On Jan. 3, our ambassador decided not to authorise any public access to the diplomatic mission until further notice."
French officials said its citizens in Yemen had been asked to be particularly careful and avoid travelling.
The US and UK embassies in the city were closed on Sunday and remained closed today due to security concerns.
In a separate development. Yemeni government forces said two al-Qaida militants believed to be behind threats to attack the United States had been killed in clashes.
One other militant was wounded in the fighting.
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen branch of Osama bin Laden's network, has claimed responsibility for the attempt by Nigerian suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab to bomb an airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day.
The Yemeni Foreign Minister, Abubakr al-Qirbi said last month there could be up to 300 al-Qaida militants in the country, some of whom may be planning attacks on Western targets.
