Italy seeks formation of ‘Friends of Yemen’

Italy plans to propose further reinforcement of the Yemeni government by envisioning the formation of a group of countries called “Friends of Yemen.

A spokesman said Friday Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini at an upcoming conference in London plans to suggest the formation of the group, the Italian news agency Ansa reported.

Maurizio Massari said Italy believes the issue of Yemen is the first real test of the European Union’s effort to have a united foreign policy.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called the gathering on “countering radicalization in Yemen” to be held alongside a conference on Afghanistan with the proclaimed aim of “coordinating assistance to the country, ranging from security training to development aid.”

Yemen has become the focus of America’s ‘war on terror’ after a young Nigerian attempted to blow up a US airliner on Christmas Day.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was tackled by passengers of Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit when his pants caught fire by the explosive he had hidden, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He allegedly received training from Yemeni militants.