Yemen’s foreign minister has warned that insecurity resulting from months of mass protests and political unrest could delay presidential elections planned for next month.

Yemen's foreign minister has warned that insecurity resulting from months of mass protests and political unrest could delay presidential elections planned for next month.

"If we don't deal with the security challenges ... it might be difficult to hold elections (as scheduled) on February 21," Abu Bakr al-Qurbi said Tuesday.

His comments came after news that Al-Qaeda militants had taken control of a Yemeni town just 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of the capital, marking a significant military advancement towards Sanaa by the extremist group.

Qurbi, who is accompanying Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa on a tour of Gulf states, said the security situation in the restive country was "worrisome" and that the new unity government could not resolve the problems "without the cooperation of Yemen's political parties," including the former ruling General People's Congress.