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| 'Missing arms spark Yemen alert' | 'Missing arms spark Yemen alert' |
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| The closure of three embassies in Yemen followed local security forces losing track of six trucks full of arms and explosives, say reports from Yemen. | The closure of three embassies in Yemen followed local security forces losing track of six trucks full of arms and explosives, say reports from Yemen. |
| France announced its mission in the capital Sanaa was shut on Monday, a day after the US and UK closed theirs. | France announced its mission in the capital Sanaa was shut on Monday, a day after the US and UK closed theirs. |
| It comes after threats from an al-Qaeda wing linked to an alleged plot to blow up a transatlantic plane over the US. | It comes after threats from an al-Qaeda wing linked to an alleged plot to blow up a transatlantic plane over the US. |
| But the UK Foreign Office said it was unaware of such a threat, and denied it was the cause for the embassy closure. | |
| Yemeni government sources, meanwhile, said their forces had shot dead two militants north of Sanaa. | Yemeni government sources, meanwhile, said their forces had shot dead two militants north of Sanaa. |
| A Yemen-based group called Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap) last week urged attacks on "crusaders" in embassies, as it claimed an alleged attempt to bomb a US airliner on Christmas Day. | A Yemen-based group called Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (Aqap) last week urged attacks on "crusaders" in embassies, as it claimed an alleged attempt to bomb a US airliner on Christmas Day. |
| The US shut its embassy in Sanaa on Sunday, citing "ongoing threats" by the militant organisation, and the UK followed suit. | The US shut its embassy in Sanaa on Sunday, citing "ongoing threats" by the militant organisation, and the UK followed suit. |
| On Monday, France shut its Yemen embassy, Japan suspended its consular service in Sanaa, and Spain restricted public access to its mission there. | On Monday, France shut its Yemen embassy, Japan suspended its consular service in Sanaa, and Spain restricted public access to its mission there. |
| According to Yemeni media, it comes after six trucks full of weapons and explosives entered the capital, and the security forces lost track of the vehicles. | |
| Britain said on Sunday the shutdown was for unspecified security reasons. | |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardener says Western embassies in the region are a prime target for al-Qaeda. | |
| The Yemeni authorities have tightened security measures at Sanaa's airport, as well as around a number of embassies. | The Yemeni authorities have tightened security measures at Sanaa's airport, as well as around a number of embassies. |
| Meanwhile, all travellers flying to America are now being subjected to tougher screening, introduced by the US government. | Meanwhile, all travellers flying to America are now being subjected to tougher screening, introduced by the US government. |
| Passengers from 14 countries, including those the US deems state-sponsors of terrorism - Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria - will face extra searches. | Passengers from 14 countries, including those the US deems state-sponsors of terrorism - Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria - will face extra searches. |
| Yemen and Nigeria - through which the main bomb plot suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, travelled - also face the new restrictions. | Yemen and Nigeria - through which the main bomb plot suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, travelled - also face the new restrictions. |
| Passengers flying from other countries will be checked at random. | Passengers flying from other countries will be checked at random. |