EP calls on Iran to stop supporting Houthis in Yemen

BRUSSELS, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday expressing its full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen to resume negotiations in Yemen.
The resolution voted by 539 in favor and 13 against said that only a political, inclusive and negotiated solution to the conflict can restore peace and preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen.
It called on Iran "to immediately cease providing support to Houthi forces in Yemen, either directly or through proxies." The resolution condemned the "indiscriminate missile attacks on Saudi cities, notably the main civilian international airport in Riyadh, King Khaled International Airport, on November 4, 2017, by the Houthi/Saleh forces." It called on all parties to the conflict to urgently agree on a cessation of hostilities to be monitored by the UN as a first step towards the resumption of peace talks under UN leadership.
The resolution regrets the decision of Houthi fighters and their allies to reject Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as a peace negotiator.
It called on EU High Representative Federica Mogherini to urgently propose an integrated EU strategy for Yemen and to make a renewed push for a Yemeni peace initiative under the auspices of the UN.
It deplored the closure of Yemen's seaports, airports, and land crossings and calls on all the parties involved to allow immediate and full humanitarian access to the conflict-affected areas in Yemen.
Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for humanitarian aid Christos Stylianides, in a debate in the European Parliament in Brussels on Yemen Wednesday night said the current escalation in Yemen is undermining the prospects of a political settlement, which is the only sustainable solution.
"We immediately condemned the launch of a missile targeting Riyadh, and we understand Saudi Arabia's security concerns. At the same time, the new measures taken by the coalition are having a severe impact on the delivery of life-saving assistance. Most Yemenis no longer have the means to get food or fuel," said Stylianides speaking on behalf of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini who is in Ivory Coast for the EU-Africa summit.
"At a time of rising tensions in the Middle East, we cannot afford the risk of a larger conflict. That would be an even greater tragedy, not only for the region but also for the world. It is a global threat. This is the situation we face, and we, the European Union, are on the front line of the world to address both the humanitarian and the political crisis," he added. (end) nk.gta