"We are obviously concerned that in this period of political unrest that Al-Qaeda and other groups will attempt to take advantage of that power vacuum," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"That is one of the reasons why we urge political dialogue to take place and a timetable for this transition that President Saleh has talked about to be begun," Carney said.
The White House fielded questions on Yemen after the New York Times reported that the Obama administration had shifted its position and concluded that Saleh would not bring about needed reforms and needed to be eased from power.
Yemen has been a vital US partner in cracking down on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which has been blamed for several thwarted attacks directed at the US mainland.
"We believe we can and will work with the government of Yemen on these important matters," Carney said, but significantly did not lock US cooperation onto Saleh.
"We are not focused on one individual," he said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
