The American and British Embassies in Yemen have been closed in response to ongoing Al-Qaeda threats to attack US interests. This was announced in an embassy statement issued today. The statement does not specify the period of this closure but added that the step has been taken in response to ongoing threats by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to attack American interests in Yemen.The statement says a warden message has been sent to Americans citizens in Yemen to remind them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against American citizens and interests throughout the world. The U.S. Embassy has cautioned U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to practice enhanced security awareness.Meanwhile the United States and Britain have agreed to fund special counter-extremism police in Yemen after US President Barack Obama recently blamed the Al-Qaeda franchise in Yemen for the thwarted attack on its airlines.