UNSC adopts Arab resolution on Yemen

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted Tuesday resolution 2216 demanding Houthis to end violence and authorizing sanctions.

The Resolution was circulated by Jordan and drafted in cooperation with the GCC, where 14 members voted in favour and Russia abstained. (more) mao.mt

Under Chapter VII, the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution demanding that all Yemeni parties, in particular the Houthis, to implement resolution 2201 and refrain from further unilateral actions that could undermine the Political transition in Yemen.

The Council (minus Russia) today further demanded that the Houthis immediately and unconditionally, end the use of violence, withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the capital Sanaa.

Moreover, the resolution demands Houthis to relinquish all additional arms seized from and institutions, including missile systems, as well as cease all actions that are exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Government of Yemen.

Nevertheless, the resolution also demands the Houthis to refrain from any provocation or threats to neighboring States, including through acquiring surface-surface missiles, and stockpiling weapons in any bordering territory of a neighboring State.

A safe release of Major-General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, the Minister of Defence of Yemen, and all political prisoners, as well as all individuals under house arrest or arbitrarily detained was part of the resolution.

The Council also called an end to the recruitment and use of children and release all children from their ranks.

With the deteriorating crisis in Yemen, the Council called upon all Yemeni parties in particular the Houthis, to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and its implementation Mechanism, in addition to the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue conference, and the relevant Security Council resolutions.

Within its articles, the resolution urged all Yemeni parties to respond positively to the request of the President of Yemen Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi to attend a conference in Riyadh, under the auspices of the GCC, to further support the political transition in Yemen, and to complement and support the UN-brokered negotiations.

As for the arms embargo, the UNSC decided that all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to, or for the benefit of ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim, And Al-Khaliq Al-Houthi, as well as the individuals and entities designated by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of resolution 2140.

The United Kingdom supports the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, but ultimately the solution to this crisis must be a political one, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN Mark Lyall Grant said today.

During the UNSC meeting, Ambassador Grant welcomed the adopted resolution 2216 on Yemen, and said that the Council made clear further measures would be taken if Houthis failed to cease their aggression.

He then called on all Yemeni parties to engage in the UN-led dialogue in "good faith," and stressed that a political solution in Yemen remains the best way to counter the growing threat from terrorist groups.

Speaking to the press, the Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UN Abdullah Al-Muallami said that the adopted resolution is a "victory to the Yemeni people."