Italian embassy in Yemen temporarily closed

(ANSA) - Rome, February 13 - The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to shut down its embassy in Sana'a in view of recent developments and the worsening security situation in the country. Ambassador Galli and the entire staff - ANSA has learned at the Foreign Ministry - will be back in Italy safely within the next few hours. The decision - added the Italian Foreign Ministry - was taken in close coordination with international partners which led several countries to close their embassies. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hopes that mediation efforts by United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar will soon restore the necessary security conditions in Yemen in order to allow the return of diplomatic staff.