Clinton: Yemen poses threat to regional, global security; embassy remains closed

Instability in Yemen poses challenges to both "regional stability and even global stability," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged on Monday.

Consequently, the U.S. embassy there -- which the White House shuttered this weekend as threats against U.S. interests increased -- will remain closed until "security conditions permit" otherwise, the secretary said.

"Obviously, we see global implications from the war in Yemen and the ongoing efforts by al Qaeda in Yemen to use it as a base for terrorist attacks far beyond the region," Clinton said at a press briefing this afternoon along side the prime minister of Qatar.

Concerns about security and stability in Yemen stem directly from a Christmas Day plot to bomb Flight 253 above Detroit. The attacker, who boarded the plane in Amsterdam, received training and weapons from an al Qaeda affiliate long known to operate within Yemen's borders.

But the Middle Eastern state has been a point of consternation for U.S. officials since 2008, when local terrorists bombed the U.S. embassy there. Consequently, fears of a similar attack in the opening days of 2010 forced the State Department to suspend its diplomatic operations, Clinton explained on Monday.

The embassy remains closed today.

"That is in response to ongoing threats by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula...," she said. "They certainly predate this holiday season. And they are aimed at American interests in Yemen."

"We review our security conditions constantly and we'll make a decision on reopening the embassy when the security conditions permit," Clinton added.

A number of U.S. leaders, including Gen. David Petraeus, have since met with Yemeni officials to discuss the country's security situation. While it remains unclear what, if any, actions the White House might take to assist Yemen, Clinton on Monday praised the country's government for its cooperation so far.

"Now, the United States commends Yemen for the recent actions it has taken to disrupt the AQAP networks," she said. "And we are reiterating our commitment to assist in those efforts."

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