Donor nations expressed their commitment to support Yemen as it combats al-Qaeda and rising poverty, wire services reported Friday (September 24th). High-level representatives from Europe, Russia, China, the United States and the Gulf States met at the United Nations to discuss conditions in Yemen.

The issue of assisting Yemen boils down to protecting "the stability of the state overall and let's be honest, there are massive dangers to the country, the region and the wider world if Yemen becomes a failed state," said Alan Duncan, Britain's International Development Minister.

Officials at the conference said that in addition to ongoing conflicts in the country, Yemen suffers from water scarcity and a 60% literacy rate.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qirbi said the country cannot spend more time waiting for promised economic support from donor nations.

A conference on economic aid for Yemen is scheduled for early next year in Riyadh.