In the light of heightened tension in Algeria and Mali against France and its military involvement in combating al-Qaeda in northern and central Africa, Yemen Interior Ministry decided to step up security around the French embassy, fearing al-Qaeda militants in the region would seek to retaliate against French interests.In a brief press statement the Ministry said “The security reinforcement does not mean that the French embassy is at risk, but it is a precautionary measure that we must be prepared to face every eventuality."With all al-Qaeda cells being inter-connected and anti-western sentiments running high within Islamic radical circles, Yemen government decided not to tempt faith and see a repeat of September 2012, when an angry mob stormed the American embassy in Sana'a over the publication on the internet of a film denigrating Islam's prophet and his teachings.This is the second time in less than a year the French landed in hot water with Islamists. In September 2012, the publication of anti-Islam cartoons in a French magazine led to widespread condemnation across the Muslim community and warnings of reprisal by radicals.