The spokesman said the development and security assistance does not include 1,206 counter-terrorism funds, via which the Yemeni government has been authorized 67 million dollars in equipment assistance to support its counter-terrorist and border control forces.

    Some media reports have even suggested that the United States was likely to send troops to help Yemen strike at terrorists.

    However, John Brennan, Obama's top advisor on counter-terrorism, clarified on Sunday that the U.S. is not opening a new front against al-Qaeda in Yemen and has no plans to send troops there.

    Boucek also said there is little chance for the Obama administration to dispatch soldiers to Yemen since the U.S. already has been engaged in two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Yemeni officials have reiterated more than once that foreign counter-terrorism assistance should be limited to providing training for Yemeni troops and financial support.

    BRITAIN: VOWS TO BOOST COOPERATION

    Britain, which has been a victim of several terrorist attacks in recent years and is firm supporter of the American anti-terrorism effort, has agreed to continue working closely with the United States to tackle any threats originating in Yemen, the prime minister's office said Sunday.

    Both Britain and the United States have already provided support and funding to Yemen, including aid for a special counter-terrorist police unit and for coast guard operations.

    British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the BBC on Sunday that Britain has been working closely with the Americans to strengthen their counter terrorism cooperation in Yemen.

    He said that British support for Yemen was expected to exceed 100 million pounds (160 million dollars) by 2011.

    Brown has also called for an international conference in London to discuss how to help Yemen tackle extremism.

    The United States and the European Union have expressed support for the meeting scheduled for Jan. 28, and Brown intended to invite Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to attend, local media reported.

    "The international community must not deny Yemen the support it needs to tackle extremism," Brown said, "I have said before that Yemen, as both an incubator and potential safe haven for terrorism, presents a regional and global threat."