About 200 Russians stay in Yemen, where situation tense: ministry

MOSCOW, March 31 (Itar-Tass) - A total of 198 Russian nationals and 350 citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States are staying in Yemen, where a tense political situation persists, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday.

“At the present moment, 198 Russian citizens and 350 CIS citizens are registered at the consular department,” the diplomat said. He said the number of staffers at the Russia’s Embassy to Yemen and the Consulate General has been cut. “In case of a need and taking into consideration the situation in Yemen, additional necessary steps will be made,” the diplomat said.

“The situation in the country continues causing serious concern here,” Lukashevich said. “A high level of tension and continuous mass demonstrations often with the use of arms persist in that country,” the diplomat emphasized.

“Gunmen from the so-called Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have become active in some parts of the country. They are fighting with government troops and try to establish control over different settlements,” he added.

He reiterated Foreign Ministry’s appeal to Russian nationals to refrain from trips to Yemen if they are not urgent, stressing that those who already stay there are asked to leave the country as soon as possible.