Abdulmutallab Visited Yemen This Year

Yemen's government said Monday that the Nigerian accused in the Christmas day attack on a U.S. airliner visited Yemen this year, and that authorities were investigating his activities during his stay.

In a statement, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry says Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was in Yemen from early August until early December after receiving a visa to study Arabic in a school in San'a.

Monday's statement said Abdulmutallab had previously studied at the school, indicating it was not his first trip to Yemen.

It said he was granted a Yemeni visa after authorities were reassured that he had "several visas from a number of friendly countries," the statement said. It noted that Abdulmutallab had a valid visa to the United States, which he had visited in the past.

"Authorities are currently investigating who he was in contact with in Yemen and the results of the investigation will be delivered to those concerned with investigating the terror plot in the United States," the ministry said.

Earlier Monday, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was retaliation for a U.S. operation against the group in Yemen.

More Coverage from CBSNews.com:

Al Qaeda: We Planned Flight 253 Bombing
Officials: In-Flight Restrictions Eased
Tracing Bomb Suspect's Journey to Detroit
Expert: New Security Steps a Smokescreen
Al Qaeda's Yemen Branch Rising in Stature
Many Questions, Few Answers in Terror Case
U.S. Failed to Catch Suspect's Active Visa
Abdulmutallab Shocks Family, Friends
Would-Be Bomber Used Powerful Explosive
Who Is Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab?
Tightening Security in U.S.

[lilbear925]

So, let's just ban anyone who travels to a Muslim country known for terrorist ties from entering the US -- ever.