British embassy reopens in Yemen

The British embassy in Yemen also reopened on Tuesday after it was closed for two days, also for security reasons. The embassy resumed operations except for its consular and visa sections. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, told parliament that urgent economic and political reforms are the only long-term solution to Yemen's battle against al-Qaeda.

David Miliband said, "Urgent economic and political reforms are the only long-term solution to Yemen's problems, but continued instability distracts from the government's short-term efforts to address these priorities. As a result of ongoing security concerns the British embassy closed earlier this week on a precautionary basis for two days. The embassy is now open and staff are back at work."

At the same occasion, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said Britain would be deploying full body scanners at airports to fight against the growing security threat.

A general view of the British embassy in Sanaa January 5, 2010.  The British and French embassies resumed operations on Tuesday  but remained closed to the public, diplomats at those missions  said. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah