SANAA, Yeme — A top Yemeni security official says authorities have uncovered at least 13 al-Qaida plots targeting foreign diplomats, embassies and senior military and government officials in the capital of Sanaa and other cities.

The official says authorities were tipped off by captured al-Qaida members. He says they gave information about sleeper cells plotting a string of assassinations, bombings and abductions of foreign diplomats in the capital, as well as cities in troubled southern Yemen.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity Sunday because he was not authorized to brief reporters.