UN CONDEMNS HOUTHI attack

new york — Members of the UN Security Council have condemned the missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi militants against the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 19.

The members also expressed alarm at the stated intention of the Houthis to continue to target Saudi Arabia as well as other countries in the region.

In a statement on Friday, the Security Council called on all member states to fully implement all aspects of an arms embargo as required by relevant Security Council resolutions. It also expressed grave concern over reports of continued violations of the embargo on the militants.

The council members said peace moves like the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the National Dialogue and relevant UN resolutions provide the basis for a political settlement in Yemen. They expressed concern at the continued non-implementation of such resolutions.

The members reiterated their call to all parties to engage constructively with the tireless efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to bring the warring parties to negotiations with a view to swiftly reaching a final and comprehensive agreement.

They also expressed concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen and called on all parties to allow safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and personnel to the populations of all affected governorates. In that regard, the members appreciated the recent announcement by Saudi Arabia regarding the Hodeida port.

The members called upon all parties to comply with international humanitarian laws and reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen. —