One dead after attacks on British embassy vehicle, oil company in Yemen

[News_Editor]

One dead after attacks on British embassy vehicle, oil company in Yemen

2010-10-07 08:46:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANA'A, YEMEN (BNO NEWS) -- One person and several others were injured after two separate attacks on an oil company and a British embassy vehicle in Sana'a on Wednesday morning, officials said.

The first attack in the Yemeni capital happened around 8.15 a.m. local time when a British Embassy vehicle carrying Deputy British ambassador to Yemen Fiona Gibb was attacked. "The vehicle was on its way to the British Embassy, with five Embassy staff on board," a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said.

The spokesperson said one British embassy staff member sustained minor injuries in the attack and is undergoing treatment. Two bystanders were also injured. "All others were unhurt," the spokesperson added.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the attack, saying: "This morning's attack on staff of the British Embassy in Sana'a highlights the risks our diplomats face working for Britain's interests abroad. [..] I am full of admiration for the way our Embassy is dealing with this difficult situation."

Hague said the members of staff affected by the attack are receiving full support from their colleagues and the Foreign Office. "This shameful attack on British diplomats will only redouble Britain's determination to work with the Government of Yemen to help address the challenges that country faces," he added. "Last week I chaired a meeting of the Friends of Yemen in New York and this important work will continue."

Following the attack, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al Qirbi promised Hague that his government would carry out a 'vigorous' investigation and keep him informed about the developments. "The Foreign Secretary thanked Al Qirbi for the co-operation of the Yemeni security forces in the immediate aftermath of the attack," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Hague also spoke to the British Ambassador in Yemen to express his concern both for the British Embassy staff caught up in this attack, but also for the innocent bystanders caught up in this morning's violence.

In a separate incident also on Wednesday, a French contractor was killed and a British employee was seriously injured when a Yemeni security guard opened fire at the compound of oil company OMV in Sana'a. It happened around 9 a.m. local time, shortly after the first attack.

"The responsible authorities and police forces are at the scene and investigate this tragic security incident," OMV said in a statement. "OMV currently sees no political background for the action taken by the Yemeni security guard. OMV is in direct contact with the contractor companies and the embassies to provide full support."

OMV, which has been active in Yemen since 2003, said it closed its office in Sana'a in the wake of the attack and is providing local staff with psychological treatment.

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