Yemen stepped up security around government buildings and foreign interests yesterday a day after a suspected Al-Qaida suicide bomber killed seven Spanish tourists and two Yemenis at a tourist site.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose country joined the US-led war against terrorism after the September 11 attacks, said Yemen had received warnings last week of an impending attack but did not know where or when the militants would strike.

He offered a US$75,500 reward for information leading to the capture of militants linked to the attack at the Queen of Sheba Temple in the volatile eastern province of Marib.

"The security apparatus had information about four days ago but did not know exactly when or where this operation would be carried out," Saleh told a news conference.

"Security measures were taken around sensitive sites such as oil installations but we did not think of this temple."

Security sources said Al-Qaida issued a statement last week demanding the release of some of its members jailed in Yemen, which has been battling Islamist militants for years, and threatening to take unspecified action.

The fortified US Embassy in Sanaa cancelled all travel outside the capital and warned its citizens against travel to Marib, urging them to be vigilant throughout the country.
 
Yemen, viewed in the West as a haven for Islamist militants including Al-Qaida, has seen several spectacular bombings.

Witnesses in Marib said body parts were strewn around the charred vehicles used by the Spaniards. One resident said the blast was strong and heard for kilometers around.

DNA tests were being carried out on the remains of the suicide bomber to try to ascertain his identity, Saleh said, adding that evidence so far indicated he was a non-Yemeni Arab.

Spain was sending two planes to Yemen to pick up the remains of the three men and four women killed in the attack and to take five wounded survivors home, Yemeni and Spanish officials said. Spanish Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Bernardino Leon was also due in Yemen, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said.

Meanwhile, Spain's travel agencies have cancelled their upcoming package tours to Yemen.
 
Each year some 400 to 450 Spanish tourists travel to Yemen, typically touring the nation in four-by-four vehicles.

Yemen foiled two suicide attacks on oil and gas installations in 2006, days after Al-Qaida urged Muslims to target Western interests.

(China Daily via agencies July 4, 2007)