Yemen’s Oil Minister Khalid Mahfouz Bahah is visiting the southern port of Balhaf, in an attempt to cool the atmosphere following Sunday’s riots, the local daily Al-Ayyam reports. The minister has downplayed yesterday’s incident, saying "a controversy between two clerks has caused a great disturbance and confusion… the Quran was not defiled, but rather there was an attempt to stir up emotions by involving religion."
The riots in Balhaf broke out following rumors that a French engineer threw a copy of the Quran on the ground during a scuffle with a local colleague. Protestors have reportedly set fire to 20 cars and a helicopter in a natural gas station, which is currently under construction in the port city.
Approximately 6,000 workers, including many foreigners, are working at the site. Many were evacuated to the capital, ‘Sana, when the incident occurred.
Dozens of Yemeni employees have been arrested, including those who revealed the story to media outlets, sources told Al-Ayyam.
A committee was established to investigate the incident. The committee includes high-ranking officials from the National Security, the Political Security and the ministries of interior and defense.
The station is scheduled to become operational next year, when it will begin exportation of natural gas to international markets.