Inaugurating export of Yemen LNG with the firstfruits scheduled to head for South Korea, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said on Saturday the real war against the Houthi insurgents in the north has just started over the last two days.

The battles against the rebels in Saada and Amran over the past six years were a rehearsal to test our capabilities, Saleh said, adding that the battles will not see an end until the insurgency is entirely tackled, even the cost were precious lives and much funds.

The plotters are not only based in the north, there are many of those building conspiracies and committing irresponsible acts such as the separatists in the south, Saleh said.

All of them are targeting the national unity and destabilizing Yemen, but the army and all the Yemeni people are ready to contain any dirty and devil schemes, he assured.

The army has been battling the insurgents since August in a sixth war that comes within the six-year war in Saada and Amran.

In the inauguration, Saleh congratulated the nation upon the milestone investment of LNG and the start of exports from the Balhaf Plant in Shabwa in the south.

 

Strategic investments need security and stability to help boost development and building our country, he told the attendants including the project partners, petroleum firm directors, donors and local officials.

In the north of the plant we have planed to set up a petrochemical industry zone, he said, urging for working together for the best interest of Yemen.

The almost $ 5-billion plant started LNG production last month.

First shipments will head for S. Korea and by the second half of 2010 when 90 percent of the project must be completed exporting will take place normally according to the world market priorities, Minister of Oil and Minerals said.

Europe and China and India in Asia will be a focus, Amir Salim Al-Aidrous said. The project provides 10.000 jobs with most of the workforce at the plant Yemeni workers. The investment is expected to bring in between $ 30 billion to 50 billion in twenty years.

The French Total Company is the main shareholder in the project with 39.62 percent and the other shareholders include the Hunt Company with 17.22 percent, the Yemen LNG Company with 16.73 percent, the Social Insurance and Salary Authority with 5 percent, the S. Korean SK Corporation with 9.55 percent, the S. Korean Gas Corporation KOGAS with 6 percent and the Hyundai Company with 5.88 percent.