Yemen's Transport Minister, Waed Bathib, late on Tuesday said he had received threats before an explosion occurred just three meters from his office inside the Transport Ministry in downtown the capital Sanaa.
A press release issued by the minister's office said Bathib received a telephone call from an unidentified number early on Tuesday, with the speaker threatening to assassin him inside the ministry.
"The unknown speaker threatened to use explosives to assassin Bathib because he crossed the red lines," the statement said.
One employee was injured in the explosion, which was blamed on a gas leak inside the buffet responsible for serving the minister, according to officials at the ministry.
The ministry formed an immediate panel to investigate in coordination with the interior ministry the explosion, which was arranged to target the minister at a meeting on ministry issues.
The timing of the meeting was changed, with the explosion missing the target, according to officials.
Since he became Transport Minister, Bathib has been known for his strict management including practical steps to reconsider a deal with DP World, which was signed in 2008 to run and develop the Aden port.