British prime minister Gordon Brown today called a high-level international meeting in London to discuss methods of countering radicalisation in Yemen, in the wake of the Christmas Day airline bomb attack.
The move came after the Mr Brown announced an immediate review of security at UK airports, which may lead to the introduction of hi-tech full-body scanners that could detect explosives of the kind smuggled on to a US-bound plane from Amsterdam.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (23), is believed to have developed radical Islamist views during visits to Yemen, and the country’s foreign minister this week appealed for international help to take on as many as 300 al-Qaeda operatives believed to be using it as a base.
Abdulmutallab is suspected of trying to ignite an explosive using a chemical-filled syringe as Northwest Flight 253 approached Detroit on Christmas Day with almost 300 people aboard.
Mr Brown said the January 28th meeting would be a stand-alone event involving key international partners held alongside the conference on the future of Afghanistan being held in London on the same day.
Downing Street said his plans have already received strong support from the White House and European Union, and Britain also aims to secure backing from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries in the coming days.