Britain's embassy in Yemen has been shut amid worries about security, the Foreign Office has said. A statement on the FO's website said the embassy was closed in response to "specific security concerns". Reuters reports that specific information had been received that a terror attack was "in the final stages of planning". The Foreign Office website said: "We are concerned that terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia during 2004 could inspire extremists located in neighbouring countries to carry out similar attacks." The impoverished country, the ancestral home of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has co-operated closely with the US-led "war on terror" and has arrested hundreds of al-Qaeda suspects since the 11 September 2001 attacks.
Statement from the Foreign Office:
We advise against all travel to the area around Saada in northern Yemen.
The Yemen Tourist Police discourage individual travel outside Sana'a and require all such travellers to apply for permission.
There is a high threat from terrorism. As at 30 December, there is specific information that terrorists are in the final stages of planning attacks against British targets and other Western interests in Yemen. You should be particularly vigilant in places frequented by foreigners, such as hotels. This advice will be kept under review.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.
The British Embassy was closed on 5 January in response to specific security concerns.
In other Foreign Office news today:
At the launch of the British Hajj Delegation at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park, British Minister Mike O'Brien today said:
'The Hajj Delegation, now in its sixth year, is an excellent example of the way the Foreign Office has worked successfully in partnership with the Muslim community in this country. And it underlines our commitment to delivering truly excellent public services. No other mainly non- Muslim country provides such a service, and we are proud of that. And over the last six years the delegation has really proved its usefulness to thousands of British pilgrims.'
Mike O'Brien added that he wanted to pay tribute to the wider British public and the Muslim community who have been raising money in mosques and community centres across the country, for those affected by the tsunami in South East Asia. He paid tribute to the generosity of the heart demonstrated by British Muslims.
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