Yemen's defence minister says the country's military will take all measures to ensure the safety of foreign diplomatic missions in the country.

 

　　Defense Minister Brigadier Mohammad Nasser Ahmad:

 

　　"The embassies have moved some of their citizens, but we can make sure that they will remain in Sanaa and not move from Sanaa at all. The threats are a kind of campaign and also a kind of psychological war."

 

　　Earlier, Yemeni authorities claimed to have foiled plots by al-Qaida to take over key cities in southern Yemen and attack strategic ports and gas facilities.

 

　　The Yemeni government has criticized the U.S and other countries for evacuating some of their embassy staff.

 

　　The U.S flew some non-essential embassy staff out of the Yemeni capital of Sanaa earlier in the week and extended closures until Saturday.

 

　　Several other countries including Britain and Germany have also evacuated some of their staff with France maintaining their embassy closure until Sunday.