Yemeni officials downplay ("exaggerated") al-Qaida threat

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SANA, Yemen, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Yemen sought to assure U.S. officials that al-Qaida militants in their country are under constant surveillance while downplaying the terrorist group's threat.

After the United States and Britain temporarily closed their missions in the Arabian Peninsula republic because of al-Qaida threats, Yemeni officials' statements in the local media and on Web sites indicated they don't want to be seen as cooperating closely with the West, the Los Angles Times reported.

Foreign Minister Abubakr Qirbi was quoted as telling a state-run newspaper that Yemen welcomes intelligence sharing, but that there was no commitment for joint anti-terrorism operations with the West.

Separately, the Yemeni Interior Ministry said on its Web site that al-Qaida militants are under surveillance "around the clock," while President Saleh's national security chief said the al-Qaida threat in Yemen was "exaggerated."

read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/01/04/Yemeni-officials-downplay-al-Qaida-threat/UPI-98461262612138/


related:

Yemen kills rebels it says behind threat to US embassy
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6030J1._CH_.2420

Yemeni General Defends Country - 'America shares the blame for al-Qaeda'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,669969,00.html

Yeman Says Will Deal With Terror "Its Own Way"
http://www.huliq.com/1/90135/yeman-says-will-deal-terror-its-own-way

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