UNSC extends sanction against destabilizing actors in Yemen

NEW YORK, Feb 24 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council extended Wednesday its sanctions on actors threatening stability in Yemen, as well as the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the committee charged with overseeing those measures for one year.
The Council adopted unanimously resolution 2266 extending the mandate of asset freeze and travel ban imposed by resolution 2140 until February, 26 2017, and the expert panel's mandate until March 27, 2017.
The world's top body urged all parties and all Member States, as well as international, regional and sub-regional organizations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts so that it could execute its mandate.
The latest adopted resolution -- drafted by Britain -- called upon member states to provide a midterm update to the 2140 Sanctions Committee on Yemen by July 27, and a final report to the Security Council no later than January 27, 2017.
It also reaffirmed the need for the full and timely implementation of the political transition following the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and implementation Mechanism, and in accordance with all Council's resolutions.
On his part, the Egyptian Representative Amr Aboulatta said before the Council that with regards to the work of Panels of Experts, it is imperative that these panels operate within the mandate specified by the Security Council resolutions establishing them, in order to preserve these resolutions' credibility, as well as the credibility of the Council itself.
With regards to the crisis in Yemen, Egypt reaffirmed its position calling for a political settlement to the crisis, in accordance with the relevant Council resolutions, especially resolution 2216. "It is only a political settlement that will restore stability to Yemen, and complement efforts to combat terrorism there, and in the Middle East region as a whole," he added. (end) mao.ibi