Further investigations in Yemen on terrorist acts

The British consul in Aden, David Purse, announced that he met on Sunday with a fourth British citizen who was arrested by the Yemen authorities over being suspected of carrying out activities described as "terrorist."

Purse told the AFP that he said he met with Muhsein Gheilan, 18, and he seemed in a good condition. But Purse added that he could not yet meet with a fifth British citizen who was arrested in December, indentified as Malek Nassar Harharah, 26, for administrative reasons. The latter has both Yemeni and British citizenship.

Purse asserted that a Yemeni lawyer was appointed to defend the five Britons and that a French citizen was arrested with them under charges of carrying out terrorist acts.

Purse added that the Yemeni authorities are still searching for a sixth British citizen, identified as Muhammad Kamal Mustafa.

Meanwhile, a Yemeni official said that searches have been carried out for a second French citizen who was able to escape.

On Saturday, the French Foreign Ministry said that French diplomats hope to see the French citizen arrested in Yemen, Perek James Luburdeik. A French diplomat in Sanaa announced that the French embassy in Yemen is waiting for the green light from the Yemeni authorities to meet with the French citizen who the Yemeni authorities arrested in December 1998.

The French diplomat told the AFP that the embassy will contact the Yemeni authorities to investigate into this matter very soon.

On Saturday the Yemeni authorities asserted that the five arrested British will be treated fairly.