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Germany closes embassy in Yemen

Xinhua, February 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

German Foreign Ministry said on Friday that German embassy in Yemeni capital Sanaa has been closed due to security concerns and urged German citizens to leave the country.

"The German Embassy in Sanaa is temporarily closed and can't provide consular assistance on site in case of emergency," the ministry said in a statement.

It reiterated a warning strongly against travel to Yemen and urged German citizens who were already there to leave.

"Both the political and security situation is extremely volatile throughout the country," the ministry said.

Earlier this week, the United States, France and Britain announced to suspend their embassy operations and withdraw diplomatic staff due to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen since January when the Shiite Houthi group seized the presidential palace in Sanaa after deadly clashes with presidential guards.

On February 6, the Houthi group announced a unilateral move to dissolve the parliament and form a presidential council to take over power after the country's president and premier's resignation was rejected by Yemen's political parties.

On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes," and urged the international community to "do everything possible" to help the country step back from the brink of anarchy. Endit