YEMEN, RUSSIA TALK OVER SECURITY COOPERATION

SANA'A, Feb.25 (Saba)- Yemen and Russia discussed here on Thursday relations of the security cooperation between the two friendly countries and means of boosting them.

This came in a meeting gathered the Minister of Interior Mutahar al-Masri the Russian President special envoy Anatoly Safonov, who is currently visiting Yemen, in which they dealt with Yemen's efforts in the fight against terrorism and the successes achieved in this regard.

Al-Masri pointed out that Yemen was one of the first countries affected by terrorism, since terrorist acts that have suffered caused heavy damage to the national economy as well as their negative effects on the development.

The government has taken several actions to strengthen the efforts to combat terrorism, al-Masri explained noting to the great victories have been achieved recently by the security forces in the fight against al-Qaeda cells, including implementation of over 35 successful security operations which led to the killing of some al-Qaeda leaders and militants.

For his part, the Russian official voiced his country's keenness to develop and expand the cooperation with Yemen in all aspects relating to combating terrorism, organized crime and piracy.

He praised the successes have been achieved by the security bodies in Yemen, topped by the pre-emptive strikes recently carried out against al-Qaeda terrorist element.

The Russian official pointed out that his visit to Yemen aimed to discuss the available opportunities to develop the historical relations between the two countries and to establish an effective partnership at all levels, especially in the security area.

BA