SAN'A, YEMEN (AP) -- The U.S. and Britain have closed their embassies in Yemen in the face of al-Qaida threats. White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan says there are indications that al-Qaida is planning an attack in Yemen, and the U.S. embassy might be a target. He says "we're not going to take any chances" with the lives of embassy personnel. A statement on the embassy's Web site announcing the closure did not say how long it would remain closed.
In London, Britain's Foreign Office said its embassy was closed for security reasons. It said officials would decide later whether to reopen it on Monday.
The developments come as Washington is dramatically stepping up aid to Yemen to fight al-Qaida, which has built up strongholds in remote parts of the country. An al-Qaida offshoot in Yemen is believed to be behind the failed Christmas Day bomb plot against a U.S. jetliner.
Brennan, who is leading the White House investigation into the plane incident, appeared on four Sunday talk shows.
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