Saudi Arabia Pledges $3.25 Billion To Help Fight Al-Qaeda In Yemen

Saudi Arabia, concerned about the threat of Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Yemen, has pledged $3.25 billion in aid to its impoverished Arabian Peninsula neighbor.

Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal announced the aid on May 23 at an international conference in Riyadh.

No details were immediately provided on how the money will be used.

Representatives of more than 20 nations, including the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, the United States and Britain are attending the Riyadh meeting to discuss how to help Yemen tackle poverty and lawlessness.

Around 100 Yemeni soldiers were killed in an Al-Qaeda suicide bomb attack May 21 in Sanaa.

Al-Qaeda has sought to expand its operations in Yemen since the country was gripped by turmoil last year, which eventually forced President Ali Abdullah Saleh from power.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP