U.N. Security Council Affirms Support for Yemen President, Unity
The U.N. Security Council on Sunday voiced unanimous support for Yemen's President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and the unity of the country, amid warnings it is sliding towards civil war.
"The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen, and its commitment to stand by the people of Yemen," the 15 members said in a statement during an emergency meeting in New York.
Talking to the Security Council by video link from Qatar, U.N. Special Adviser Jamal Benomar, who has tried to mediate the conflict for several months, warned that recent events "seem to be leading Yemen to the edge of a civil war.
"The country will slide further into further violence and dislocation.
"In conclusion, I urge all sides in spite of rising tensions to appreciate the gravity of the situation and to deescalate by ceasing all hostilities and refraining from provocations and using violence... peaceful dialogue is the only way forward."
The council "supports the legitimacy" of Hadi, it added in its statement, and also made a vague threat of sanctions against the Shiite militia, known as Huthis, who seized a key central Yemeni city's airport Sunday.
Impoverished but strategic Yemen has descended into chaos in recent months, with the Huthis seizing control of Sanaa and forcing Hadi to flee to the main southern city of Aden.
The emergency meeting came against the backdrop of a deteriorating security crisis that prompted Washington to evacuate personnel.
The Security Council "condemns the ongoing unilateral actions taken by the Huthis, which undermine the political transition process in Yemen, and jeopardize the security, stability, sovereignty and unity of Yemen..." it said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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