Japan suspends consular services in Yemen+

CAIRO, Jan. 4 Kyodo -
The Japanese Embassy in Yemen suspended on Monday the processing of visa
applications and other consular services at the embassy.
The United States and Britain have closed their embassies in Yemen over
concerns about possible attacks by al-Qaida-linked militant groups in Yemen.
Officials at the Japanese Embassy in Yemen said they have no specific
information about a possible attack on the embassy and that the embassy may
resume its consular services depending on the local security environment.
Japan's national soccer team is scheduled to play a 2011 Asian Cup qualifier in
Yemen on Wednesday.
The Japanese team arrived in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday. According to
Japanese Embassy officials in Yemen, the decision to suspend consular services
would have no effect on the soccer game.
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaida's Yemen-based arm, has claimed
responsibility for the attempted bombing of a U.S.-bound airliner on Dec. 25.
The United States has since beefed up antiterrorism aid to the Yemeni
government. According to a Reuter news agency report, Yemeni security forces
battled with Yemeni militants on Monday and killed two Yemeni militants.
==Kyodo
2010-01-04 23:35:41