UAE backs call for firm reply to Houthi no-show

Yemeni government calls for a firm international stand on the Houthis’ refusal to attend UNled peace talks were backed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia at a conference yesterday.

At the meeting, organised by the UN’s humanitarian co-ordination office, Saudi Arabia’s representative called for clear recognition that many of the crises and shortages facing Yemen stemmed from the rebel takeover.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, told the meeting that the UN had failed to put the spotlight on the Houthi-led authority’s failure to attend the talks convened by special envoy Martin Griffiths.

“There really has to be condemnation of this activity,” Ms Al Hashimy said.

She repeated the UAE’s support for the process as being the best way to end the crisis and the recent developments had not changed its commitment.

“A political solution through the UN is the only way to act. No sane country wants to be at war,” Ms Al Hashimy said.

She was critical of the comments by Helle Thorning-Schmidt, the international president of Save the Children, on the closure of the main roadway connecting Hodeidah to Sanaa.

“The central line has been blocked but there are other access points that do exist to take goods to other parts of the country, certainly Sanaa,” Ms Al Hashimy said.