Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by David Chaytor (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Yemen

Question: Does my hon. Friend see the problems in Yemen as exactly analogous to those in Afghanistan? If he does, what kind of intervention by the international community is needed?

Answer: We do not see the challenges that we face in Yemen and in Afghanistan as being the same. In Yemen, while there is a very fragile state and Government, there is a functioning Government. It is very important that we do everything that we can at this early stage—surely the lesson from Afghanistan and, indeed, from Iraq, is early intervention—to support the Government of Yemen in relation to the economic and social challenges that they face, because, as I said earlier, that will be the ultimate difference that will lead to greater security and stability in Yemen and minimise the threat to the international community.

Secondary information