Pentagon said the U.S. army had suggested allocating $ 1.2 billion to boost the security in Yemen over five years, amid fears about growing presence of Al-Qaeda in the country.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Central Command overseeing the U.S. forces in the Middle East urged to invest the sum despite continuous worries about corruption in Yemen. Pentagon officials confirmed the information to the media as well.

There is no decision over providing assistance to Yemen within the 2012 budget and the matter is still under discussion at the State Department and Department of Defense, the officials said.

It is too early to predict the outcome of the deliberations and the sum to be approved, Bryan Whitman, Pentagon spokesman said.

Last month reports surfaced the U.S. was considering all options to face Al-Qaeda in Yemen after fierce confrontations between the security forces and suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Abyan Province in the south.

11 soldiers, 19 terrorist suspects and 3 civilians were killed and others injured in the fighting that last almost a week in the Lowder and Jaar districts.

The U.S. has also warned Al-Qaeda in Yemen has become a serious terrorist threat, with reports saying the U.S. may intervene due to the size of cooperation and partnership with Yemen.

But Yemen assured the fight against terrorism inside it remains the responsibility of the national authorities which proven their competence in tackling terrorism issues.