WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Washington is committed to helping the government of Yemen overcome a myriad of security threats, a top counter-terrorism official said.
John Brennan, a presidential assistant for counter-terrorism and homeland security, said in a White House statement Monday that Washington committed more than $110 million in economic and humanitarian aid to Yemen in 2009.
Washington is a strong backer of the Yemeni government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Yemen is struggling to control a Shiite rebellion in the north of the country, a secessionist movement in the south and a threat from al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemeni branch of the terrorist cabal.
Brennan said that with Washington's continued support, Yemen could stand up to face the many challenges in the country.
"I am convinced that the people of Yemen can do more than overcome the threats that they face -- they can build a future of greater peace and opportunity for their children," he said.
Washington is providing military assistance to help Yemen tackle the al-Qaida threat. Anwar al-Awlaki, AQAP's leading cleric, is on Washington's hit list for his alleged role in several plots targeting U.S. national interests.
Stephen Seche, the U.S. ambassador to Yemen, was quoted in The New York Times as saying he opposed a grand military buildup in the country, however.
Brennan made his comments ahead of a so-called Friends of Yemen summit planned for Friday in New York.
