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Foreign Office Minister condemns attack in Yemen

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt has condemned the "cowardly" attack in Sana'a on 21 May which has killed more than 90 people.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking today the Foreign Office Minister said:

“The UK condemns today’s violent attack in central Sana’a in which scores of Yemeni servicemen were killed and many more injured. I am deeply saddened that so many have lost their lives and my thoughts are with the families of the victims. This tragic event underlines the scale of the security challenge facing the Yemeni government as it seeks to introduce key reforms and work towards completing political transition. As co-chair of the Friends of Yemen, we remain committed to helping Yemen in its efforts to implement security reform across the country, and addressing the threat from al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula.

“This violence comes the day before Yemen commemorates its National Unity Day and at a time when the country is striving to rebuild itself following significant political upheavals. This cowardly attack must not be allowed to stall or prevent progress towards the completion of rigorous reform. As we prepare to meet in Riyadh on Wednesday for the Friends of Yemen meeting, we are resolute in our support for President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi as he leads his nation towards a safer and more prosperous future.”

Published 21 May 2012