Petraeus Puts Al-Qaida Threat in Yemen in Perspective

The U.S. Central Command chief put the Al-Qaida threat in Yemen in perspective during a news conference in Baghdad today. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus praised the Yemeni government for taking on the al-Qaida threat in the country. "The Yemeni president and parliament take this threat very seriously," he said. "And that is of enormous significance, especially in a country facing such challenges." Al-Qaida has moved into the area, because they have sustained defeats in other areas, he said. Al-Qaida had operated in Saudi Arabia, but the Saudis cracked down on the group and forced them out.