The US and Britain have closed their embassies in Yemen, citing fears of an al-Qaeda attack.

The moves come as Washington gives the country renewed focus following the failed bombing of a US airliner on Christmas Day.

The suspect in that attempted attack has been linked to a group, calling itself al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is believed to be based in Yemen.

For now, the US is only talking about increasing aid to Yemen's military, but speculation is growing about whether Washington will take its own military action in the Middle East country.

Patty Culhane reports.