France to Shut Embassy in Yemen for 'Several Days' over Security Fears

French President Francois Hollande said Saturday that France would close its embassy in Yemen over security fears for "several days", after Germany and Britain took the same precaution.

"We are informed directly and indirectly of threats concerning our installations overseas and even our nationals, threats coming from al-Qaida," Hollande said.

"I have already decided to close the French embassy in Yemen because there we have elements suggesting extremely serious threats. ... So this embassy will be closed for several days," Hollande said in a statement.

A foreign ministry spokesman had earlier told Agence France Presse the embassy would be shut only on Sunday and Monday.

The United States had issued a worldwide alert on Friday warning of plans by al-Qaida to launch an attack in the Middle East or North Africa in August.