Washington asks for landing 'the Marines' in Yemen

A Western diplomat and Yemeni officials said on Tuesday that the US has asked Yemen to permit the US Marines forces to take part in the operations of chasing members of al-Qaeda organization led by Osama Bin Laden.

News reports quoted the Western diplomat who asked not to be identified as saying that Washington also proposed founding a joint force in Yemen including officials from the CIA and other agencies to coordinate chasing operations.

Yemeni officials have confirmed what was said by the western diplomat, noting that the Yemeni government got an American request to this effect and is studying it.

Meantime, Yemen on Tuesday officially recognized the provisional government, chaired by Hameed Qardai in Afghanistan, stressing determination to resume diplomatic relations with Kabul.

News reports quoted a statement issued following the weekly meeting of the Yemeni Cabinet that the formation of the provisional government constitutes an important step necessitated by the realization of national unity, stability and rebuilding the already politically torn country.