Abizaid visits Yemen, tours Aden’s port [Archives:2006/957/Local News]

SANA'A, June 20 ) General John P. Abizaid, Commander of the U.S. Central Command, left Yemen Monday after an official two-day visit. During his visit Abizaid visited Sana'a and Aden. He met with President Ali Abdullah Saleh on June 18, where they discussed regional security issues, including the current situation in Somalia, and joint efforts to improve Yemen's counter-terrorism capacity and border security.

While in Sana'a, Abizaid conducted meetings with the deputy prime minister and minister of Interior, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi; Minister of Defense, Major General Mohammed Nasser Ahmed; and Chief of Armed Forces, Major General Ahmed Ali Al-Ashwal. In Aden, Abizaid met with the Southern Military District Commander, Brigadier General Ali Ibrahim, and Aden Yemen Coast Guard Commander, Colonel Al-Barati.

Abizaid was provided a tour of Aden's harbor area aboard Yemeni Coast Guard vessels. He complimented the Yemen Coast Guard on their professionalism and its ability to create such a capable force in only a few years. He stated that the Yemen Coast Guard represented an outstanding example of how allies can successfully work together to improve mutual security and fight terrorism.
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