Yemeni security forces, the British government and US intelligence authorities are jointly working on the investigation of Friday's foiled mail bombing case. Their cooperation comes amid the arrest of a female suspect in connection to the packages containing explosive devices.

The arrest of the woman was made after Yemeni security forces surrounded a house at an undisclosed location in the capital Sanaa, where the woman was taking refuge.

The Yemeni authorities say the US and the United Arab Emirates had provided information that helped identify the woman as a suspect.

The country's president promised to investigate into the terror plot.

Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemeni President, said, "Yemen stands alongside its allies in the international community in fighting terrorism through cooperation and exchange of information. We do not want anyone else to interfere in Yemeni affairs and try to combat al-Qaeda in our country. We are the ones who will fight al-Qaeda with our own resources."

Officials said the woman was detained as part of a widening search for suspects believed to have used forged documents and ID cards in the plot.

Authorities are questioning airport cargo workers, as well as local shipping employees contracted to work with logistics firms Fed-Ex and U-P-S.

Meanwhile, the British government has confirmed the US-bound mail bomb device discovered at England's East Midlands Airport could have been used to bring down a plane. Home Secretary Theresa May said the government is working closely with other countries to increase their understanding of the case and bring those responsible to justice.

She also said that while there is no intelligence to indicate another imminent attack, the country must take further precautionary measures.

Theresa May, British Home Secretary, said, "I have agreed with the Transport Secretary that we will take immediate action to stop the movement of all unaccompanied air freight originating from Yemen into or through the UK. And we are talking to the transport sector. Direct cargo and passenger flights from Yemen were suspended in January this year for security reasons, following an earlier attempt to bomb an aircraft destined for Detroit. The police and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to improve our understanding of the case."

Several US officials said they are increasingly confident that al-Qaeda's Yemen branch was responsible for the terror plot.

The US has FBI, military and intelligence officers stationed in Yemen to conduct an inquiry.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments