Clinton: US appreciates Yemen's measures to combat violent extremists

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Yemen's Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi. She said the US appreciated the Yemeni government's measures to combat violent extremists.

Clinton also highlighted the importance of economic development in Yemen to help fight terrorist groups.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the failed Christmas day attack on a US airliner. Clinton said that the US will intensify its cooperation with Yemen, on both security and economic development.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, left, listens as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at the State Department in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, said, "There is also an awareness on both the United States and Yemen that our relationship cannot just be about the terrorists. As critical as that is to our security and our future and the stability and unity of Yemen. The best way to get some of those underlying problems that exist is through an effective development strategy."

Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Yemen's Foreign Minister, , said, "What we need is really to build the capability of our counter-terrorism units to make them more effective, train them, provide them with the equipment and they will do the job. This will be to the benefit to both countries, with less problems and less costs."