"In the framework of efforts by our country to fight terrorism and strengthen security measures to prevent the infiltration of terrorist elements into the country, the granting of visas at airports to foreigners will be cancelled," the Yemeni Defence Ministry's September 26 newspaper said.
Sanaa declared war on al Qaeda last week as pressure grew for a crackdown on the global militant group after its Yemen-based wing said it was behind a December 25 attempt to bomb a US-bound passenger plane. Yemen is also battling a Shi'ite revolt in the north and southern separatists. Western countries and neighbouring oil giant Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda could exploit the chaos in Yemen to turn it into a launch pad for further attacks.
Yemen gained a reputation as an al Qaeda haven after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, and came under a renewed spotlight after crackdowns on the group in Pakistan and Afghanistan raised fears Yemen was becoming a training and recruiting centre for militants.
Security concerns have also prompted Britain to suspend direct flights from Yemen in a wave of measures to tighten border security, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday, warning that militant cells were actively planning attacks. Sanaa's move to stop granting visas on arrival will affect tourists previously able to obtain entry at the airport, including those from Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan, the government official said.