U.S. to double security funding to Yemen, but no troops
WASHINGTON. January 10. KAZINFORM The U.S. is set to double its financial aid to Yemen, but has no intentions to send ground troops to the country where al Qaeda has become an increasing threat, CNN said on Sunday citing a high-ranking defense official; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
The issue of security in Yemen has been high on the agenda since the failed bomb attack on a U.S.-bound plane on December, 25, 2009. The key suspect in the case admitted that he had undergone training at an al-Qaeda camp in Yemen.
"No, of course, we would always want a host nation to deal with a problem itself. We want to help. We're providing assistance," Gen. David Petraeus, who heads the U.S. Central Command, told CNN.
It was "quite clear that Yemen does not want to have American ground troops there. And that's a good - good response for us to hear, certainly," said Petraeus, who recently returned from his visit to the Arab state; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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