The detention is part of a wide investigation of Kuwaitis who fought in Afghanistan. In October two such veterans carried out an attack on US marines stationed in Kuwait, killing one and injuring another (MEED 11:10:02). Police have deemed the subsequent operations a success, saying that a 15-strong al-Qaeda cell was dismantled, but lawyers representing the accused alleged torture and forced confessions.

The UK has announced the closure to the public of its embassy in Yemen and advised its citizens to leave the country. In an interview with Sky Television, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that the government had received intelligence 'which suggests that the threat level to British residents and citizens is increased'.