Japan closes embassy in Yemen for security reasons

Tokyo, Feb 16 (IANS/EFE) Japan closed its embassy in Yemen and evacuated its diplomatic personnel due to the worsening security situation in the country, the Japanese foreign ministry announced Monday, following in the steps of other countries.

Japanese Ambassador in Yemen, Katsuyoshi Hayashi, and four other officials vacated the Middle Eastern country and left for Doha, Qatar, from where they will be carrying out their duties.

"The security situation there is extremely severe," explained Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Yoshihide Suga.

In the last few days, countries like the US, Britian, France, Spain and Saudi Arabia have closed their embassies in Sanaa and evacuated their diplomats.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last week that Yemen was "collapsing before our eyes," in reference to the political chaos there.

Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi was forced to resign Jan 22 by Shia rebels known as Houthis.

Last month, the Shia group extended the areas under their control in Yemen and on Feb 6 they dissolved parliament and announced the formation of a presidential board to govern the country temporarily for two years.

On Sunday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution asking the Houthi rebels to forego their control over Yemen and negotiate with other forces to find a solution to the crisis.

It also warned of "further steps" in case of a failure by the rebels to comply.

--IANS/EFE

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