US Embassy in Yemen closes over al-Qaida threat

SAN'A, Yemen (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Yemen says it has closed in response to ongoing al-Qaida threats to attack American interests in the Arabian Peninsula country.

A statement posted on Sunday on the embassy Web site said it had closed but provided no further details.

The embassy sent a warden notice on Thursday to American citizens in Yemen urging them to be vigilant and practice security awareness.

An embassy spokesman reached on the phone would not comment if there was a specific threat.

The confrontation with al-Qaida's branch in Yemen has gained new urgency after the failed attempt on Christmas Day to bomb a U.S. airliner headed to Detroit.