Arab FMs renew support to Yemen's constitutional legitimacy

CAIRO, March 11 (KUNA) -- The Arab League Council on Friday reaffirmed commitment to supporting the legitimate authority in Yemen represented by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
The 145th session of the Council, held at the foreign-minister level, said in its final statement that any peace talks in Yemen should originate from the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the national comprehensive dialogue, and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, particularly the Resolution 2216.
The Council renewed support to the UN efforts to stabilize Yemen and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmad's call for resuming the peace talks.
It highlighted the importance of maintaining Yemen's national unity, independence and territorial safety, and rejecting any foreign interference in Yemen's domestic affairs or any attempts to impose fait accompli in the country.
The Council urged adoption of a decisive act against the serious human rights violations being committed by the Houthi rebels and the forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
It also called on the international community to respond urgently to the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, saying that three thirds of the country's population are in need of food relief and medical assistance due to the raging fighting and epidemic outbreak.
In this context, the Council lauded the generous contributions of Saudi King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman to the efforts to meet the needs of the victims of the conflict in Yemen.
It commended the military campaign being launched by the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces against the acts of terrorism and piracy in Yemen in support of the country's people and leadership.
The military campaign, based on a call by President Hadi, the Arab joint defense treaty, the Arab League Charter, and Article 51 of the UN Charter, falls in the framework of the Arab countries' collective responsibility for protecting their safety, sovereignty and independence, it reminded.
The Council called on the Houthi rebels and Saleh's supporters to commit themselves to the confidence building measures agreed upon in Geneva talks, release all political prisoners, cease fire, and ensure delivery of aid to the civilians trapped in the conflict.
It concluded with a strong denunciation of the repeated attacks by the Houthi rebels against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which resulted in many casualties among innocent civilians in border areas. (end) mfm.gb