US reopening embassies despite latest threat from al-Qaeda

The US is reopening 18 consulates and embassies across the Middle East, despite new threats from the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the State department confirmed Monday. US officials are "concerned" about Yemen-based Abu Basir Al-Wahishi's message to his followers vowing to free jailed militants. "Anytime there's a high-level statement from an Al-Qaeda leader like him it's a concern and our folks take a look at it and analyze what it means and how the threat picture -- what it looks like, whether that should change or not. This is no different. But clearly, it's an ongoing, serious concern for us," State department spokeswoman Marie Harf said. The message also followed an announcement by Yemeni authorities that they had discovered a new Al Qaeda plot to target foreign embassies in the Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and international shipping in the Red Sea. The American embassy in Sanaa remains closed following several US drone strikes against Al Qaeda militants. The United States closed 19 diplomatic missions after the interception of a secret message between Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Dhawahri and Al-Wahishi about plans for a major attack.