United Nations: With terror links traced to Yemen, UN chief Ban Ki-moon today expressed concern about al Qaeda's presence in that country and lent support to UK Premier Gordon Brown's initiative to bring together world leaders to combat the fresh challenge.
"The Secretary-General was appreciative of the initiative of Prime Minister Brown and welcomed the focus of the conference on counter-terrorism," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told journalists here.
"He expressed concerns about the violence in part of Yemen and the presence of al-Qaeda in the country," he said, noting that Ban was also worried about "humanitarian
situation" in the country and sought an assurance that Yemen's President was also involved in preparation of the conference on January 28.
The world attention shifted to Yemen as a new anti-terror front, after al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for a failed attempt to bomb a US plane.
While Nesirky did not confirm whether UN planned to close its offices in the country, he stressed that world body took the matter seriously and is reviewing security on the ground.
Last year, UN offices were targeted by militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan killing staffers in both countries.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Yemen re-opened today following a two-day closure prompted by a terror threat.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, January 05, 2010, 15:14