RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have rejected and condemned the formation by Yemen’s Houthis and deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh of a so-called National Salvation Government.
In a statement, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani said that the GCC member states categorically rejected the Houthis’ recently announced government on the basis that President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s government is the legitimate one, constitutionally and legally.
He reiterated that Hadi’s government is recognized by the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
The new step by the Houthis and Saleh shows that they are not serious about political negotiations, and seek to impede fervent attempts to stop the war in Yemen or to revive political talks based on the UN road map, the Gulf Initiative, Output of National Dialogue and UN Security Council Resolution 2216, Al-Zayani added.
The UN special envoy to Yemen said the formation of a new government by the Houthis and their allies does not help the country or the peace process.
“The announcement by Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress on the formation of a new government in Sana’a represents a new and concerning obstacle to the peace process and does not serve the interests of the people of Yemen in these difficult times,” Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the GCC interior ministers underlined the need to further strengthen their robust security apparatus, calling for joint efforts to counter serious challenges of terrorism and extremism. The GCC interior ministers, who on Tuesday met in Riyadh, lent their support to all collective efforts that will ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
The meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, discussed security cooperation, including terrorism and counter-insurgency.
The crown prince reaffirmed “the importance of concerted efforts within the framework of a comprehensive security vision and professional strategy to maintain the Gulf security and deter any aggressor.”
He commended the efforts of the Gulf security forces, while referring to the joint exercise recently conducted by the Gulf states in Bahrain. The crown prince said: “We recently witnessed in Bahrain the ‘Arabian Gulf Security One’ tactical drill, which is a model and practical example of GCC joint security, as well as unity and solidarity.”
“The Gulf states are facing several security challenges including sectarian conflicts and terrorism supported by countries and organizations with ill intentions,” added the crown prince. He, however, expressed satisfaction at the level of GCC security cooperation, saying that “the Gulf countries are able to fend off these risks and maintain the security of our region and people.”
Al-Zayani reaffirmed the need for closer security cooperation.
In a separate meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, the crown prince received Sheikh Mohammed Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti deputy prime minister and interior minister. During the meeting, they reviewed existing cooperation between the two countries, “particularly in the field of joint cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism.”
Top officials who attended the GCC meeting included Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatari prime minister and minister of interior; Sheikh Mohammed Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s deputy prime minister and minister of interior; Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of interior of the UAE; Lt. Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Bahraini minister of interior and Hamoud bin Faisal Al-Busaidi, Omani interior minister.
In a statement, GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani said that the GCC member states categorically rejected the Houthis’ recently announced government on the basis that President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s government is the legitimate one, constitutionally and legally.
He reiterated that Hadi’s government is recognized by the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations.
The new step by the Houthis and Saleh shows that they are not serious about political negotiations, and seek to impede fervent attempts to stop the war in Yemen or to revive political talks based on the UN road map, the Gulf Initiative, Output of National Dialogue and UN Security Council Resolution 2216, Al-Zayani added.
The UN special envoy to Yemen said the formation of a new government by the Houthis and their allies does not help the country or the peace process.
“The announcement by Ansar Allah and the General People’s Congress on the formation of a new government in Sana’a represents a new and concerning obstacle to the peace process and does not serve the interests of the people of Yemen in these difficult times,” Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the GCC interior ministers underlined the need to further strengthen their robust security apparatus, calling for joint efforts to counter serious challenges of terrorism and extremism. The GCC interior ministers, who on Tuesday met in Riyadh, lent their support to all collective efforts that will ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
The meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, discussed security cooperation, including terrorism and counter-insurgency.
The crown prince reaffirmed “the importance of concerted efforts within the framework of a comprehensive security vision and professional strategy to maintain the Gulf security and deter any aggressor.”
He commended the efforts of the Gulf security forces, while referring to the joint exercise recently conducted by the Gulf states in Bahrain. The crown prince said: “We recently witnessed in Bahrain the ‘Arabian Gulf Security One’ tactical drill, which is a model and practical example of GCC joint security, as well as unity and solidarity.”
“The Gulf states are facing several security challenges including sectarian conflicts and terrorism supported by countries and organizations with ill intentions,” added the crown prince. He, however, expressed satisfaction at the level of GCC security cooperation, saying that “the Gulf countries are able to fend off these risks and maintain the security of our region and people.”
Al-Zayani reaffirmed the need for closer security cooperation.
In a separate meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, the crown prince received Sheikh Mohammed Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti deputy prime minister and interior minister. During the meeting, they reviewed existing cooperation between the two countries, “particularly in the field of joint cooperation to combat terrorism and extremism.”
Top officials who attended the GCC meeting included Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Qatari prime minister and minister of interior; Sheikh Mohammed Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s deputy prime minister and minister of interior; Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of interior of the UAE; Lt. Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Bahraini minister of interior and Hamoud bin Faisal Al-Busaidi, Omani interior minister.
