British envoy to Yemen escapes suicide bombing
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
SANAA, Apr 26 (AFP): Britain's envoy to Yemen Timothy Torlot Monday narrowly escaped a bomb triggered by a suspected Al-Qaeda suicide attacker who hurled himself at the ambassador's convoy in a Sanaa street, officials said.
A Yemen security official said "the ambassador was not hurt" in the attack, which was launched as Torlot's two-car convoy neared the British embassy compound in the capital.
"The failed terrorist attack that targeted the British ambassador in Sanaa carries the fingerprints of Al-Qaeda," said the interior ministry website, citing security authorities.
The suicide bomber threw himself at the convoy of the diplomat "wearing an explosive belt," it added.
Medical officials said two bystanders were lightly wounded in the blast while witnesses said the attacker's body was torn to pieces.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that the ambassador escaped an explosion, without specifying whether it was a suicide attack or not.
A Yemen security official said "the ambassador was not hurt" in the attack, which was launched as Torlot's two-car convoy neared the British embassy compound in the capital.
"The failed terrorist attack that targeted the British ambassador in Sanaa carries the fingerprints of Al-Qaeda," said the interior ministry website, citing security authorities.
The suicide bomber threw himself at the convoy of the diplomat "wearing an explosive belt," it added.
Medical officials said two bystanders were lightly wounded in the blast while witnesses said the attacker's body was torn to pieces.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that the ambassador escaped an explosion, without specifying whether it was a suicide attack or not.