Yemen Said to Have Foiled Major Al-Qaeda Plot

Yemen says it has foiled an Al-Qaeda plot to blow up oil pipelines and seize some of the country's main ports, international media inform.

Security remains tight - and hundreds of armoured vehicles have been deployed to protect key targets in the country, according to the BBC.

Both the US and UK have withdrawn diplomatic staff from Yemen, prompted by intelligence reports of renewed terrorist activity.

The US is reported to be preparing special operations forces for possible strikes against al-Qaeda in Yemen.

The BBC's correspondent in Washington, David Willis, says it appears that Yemen was at the centre of a complex and audacious plot which - had it succeeded - would have given al-Qaeda control over a crucial aspect of the country's infrastructure.

Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said the plot involved blowing up oil pipelines and taking control of certain cities - including two ports in the south, one of which accounts for the bulk of Yemen's oil exports and is where a number of foreign workers are employed.

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