LOC23:54
20:54 GMT
SANAA, May 19 (KUNA) -- A senior Yemeni official warned on Tuesday of acts
of sabotage that could be jointly launched by Al-Qaeda Organization in the
Arabian Peninsula and the local militant group of Al-Hawthis.
The terrorist acts of Al-Qaeda organization mainly target countries that
lack security and stability such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, Yemeni
Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense Affairs Rashad Muhammad
Al-Alimi told reporters here.
"The organization could join hands with Al-Hawthis in wreaking havoc on
Yemen and use the country as a launch pad for their terrorist acts regionally
and internationally," he warned.
Al-Alimi made the remarks after Al-Qaeda leader Abu Basir Nasser
Al-Wahayshi approved in an audio tape on Wednesday the militant activities in
southern part of the Arabian Peninsula in a clear reference to Yemen.
"Al-Wahayshi's statements coincided with call of Abdel Malik Al-Hawthi for
his followers (Hawthis) in Saada province to launch acts of sabotage. This
synchronization indicates that there is a clear coordination between the two
armed groups," the senior official noted.
He reaffirmed the government's firm stance against entering any dialogue
with terrorists whose hands are stained with blood of innocent people.
However, he said the government is open to negotiate any issues with
political forces "within the framework of the constitution of the state."
The government admission of the existence of coordination between the two
terrorist organizations marks a heightened sense of wariness about imminent
terrorist acts, observers believe.
In late 2008, the Yemeni authorities revealed that there was what it called
"an alliance between the two terrorist groups" and arrested dozens of
suspected members of Al-Qaeda since then. (end)
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