Spanish embassy in Yemen to be closed temporarily for attack fear

MADRID, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Spain decided to close its embassy in Yemen on Monday and Tuesday over the threat of a possible attack by al-Qaeda, Spain's foreign ministry said on Sunday.

The local press quoted the Spanish foreign ministry as saying that its embassy in Yemen remains "operating", but access to its facilities has been restricted for security reasons.

The decision came after both the United States and Britain had closed their embassies there for security concern.

"The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa is closed today, Jan. 3, 2010, in response to ongoing threats by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) to attack American interests in Yemen," said the U.S. embassy in a statement on Sunday.

The British embassy in Yemen was closed just a few hours after the U.S.' move.

U.S. President Barack Obama accused the Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula of arming and training a Nigerian, who was involved in a failed Christmas Day attempt to bomb a U.S. aircraft.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the failed attack and called for strikes on embassies in Yemen.

Spain opened its embassy in Yemen, which is located in the south of the Arabian peninsula, in April 2006.

In July 2007, eight Spanish tourists died in an attack attributed to al-Qaeda.