Thursday, March 26, 2015

UN chief skirts legality question in Saudi's Yemen intervention

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday noted that Saudi Arabia was carrying out airstrikes in Yemen but steered clear of asserting whether the military action was in line with international law.
Ban recalled that the Saudi intervention was at the request of President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi, who is considered the legitimate head of state by the U.N. Security Council.

The secretary general recalled that the Security Council has called on countries to refrain from external interference and to support the political transition in Yemen.

In a statement, Ban "notes that, despite the escalation, negotiations remain the only option for ultimately resolving the Yemeni crisis."

Ban spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal earlier in the day, spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition bombed Houthi rebels Thursday in support of Hadi, who headed to an Arab summit to garner support.

Yemen has been sliding deeper into turmoil since the Houthis launched a power takeover in Sanaa in February, forcing Hadi to flee to the port city of Aden.
  AFP
[www.dailystar.com.lb]
26/3/15
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  • Ban notes Saudi Arabia’s military operations in Yemen, urges protection of civilians...
UN, 26 March 2015 – Noting Saudi Arabia’s announcement that, at the request of the Government of Yemen, it has begun military operations in the Gulf nation, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and emphasized that despite escalation, negotiations remain the only option for ultimately resolving the crisis.

“[Mr. Ban] is aware of reports that other States, in particular members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, are also supporting these operations,” said a statement released from the Office of the UN chief’s spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General reminds all parties involved of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians and of all humanitarian and United Nations and associated personnel, as well as of the rules and principles of international human rights law and refugee law,” the statement added.

Mr. Ban recalled last Sunday’s Security Council’s Presidential Statement which, while supporting the legitimacy of the Yemeni President, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, called upon all parties and Member States to refrain from taking any actions that undermine the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

At that emergency Council meeting, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar warned that the country is on a “rapid downward spiral” as the conflict has taken on “worrying sectarian tones and deepening north-south divisions.”

In statement following the meeting, the Council called on all Member States to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition.

The situation in Yemen has been rapidly deteriorating since the country formed a new Government in November 2014 aimed at ending a period of political turbulence and bringing about a full transition towards democracy. The country has continued to be plagued by violence and political demonstrations despite UN efforts to bring about a peaceful political resolution.

Also today, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for Mr. Benomar’s tireless. Mr. Ban said he would continue to closely monitor the unfolding situation in Yemen.
  [un.org]
26/3/15
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3 comments:

  1. Yemen FM urges swift end to air strikes on Houthis...

    Yemen's foreign minister has said air strikes being carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Shia Houthi rebels should end as soon as possible.

    Riad Yassin told the BBC a "short, sharp" campaign was needed to weaken the rebels, who have forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee abroad.

    Fresh overnight air raids reportedly targeted a number of Houthi positions.

    Rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has vowed not to surrender to what he called the "unjustified aggression".

    Regional Shia power Iran, who Mr Yassin accused of backing the rebels, has also denounced the US-backed air strikes.

    "They have to stop. Everybody has to encourage dialogue and national reconciliation in Yemen rather than making it more difficult for Yemenis to come together," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said..................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32082616
    27/3/15

    ReplyDelete
  2. La capitale yéménite est depuis jeudi la cible de frappes aériennes d'une coalition internationale dirigée par Riyad, qui lutte contre les rebelles houthis....

    L'Onu a décidé d'évacuer son personnel de Sanaa suite à plusieurs raids aériens contre les positions des rebelles Houthis dans la capitale yéménite effectués par la coalition internationale dirigée par l'Arabie saoudite, ont rapporté les médias internationaux.

    "L'Onu évacue son personnel de Sanaa pour des raisons de sécurité", a indiqué l'agence Reuters....................Lire la suite: http://fr.sputniknews.com/international/20150328/1015375329.html#ixzz3VgDXAGQY
    28/3/15

    ReplyDelete
  3. El presidente de Yemen, Abdo Rabu Mansur Hadi, pidió hoy a los miembros de la coalición internacional que esta semana inició una ofensiva contra los rebeles hutíes del país, a continuar los bombardeos de sus posiciones hasta conseguir que el enemigo se rinda...

    "Llamo a continuar la operación hasta el anuncio de rendición (de los hutíes)", dijo el mandatario yemení en Sharm al Sheij donde asiste a la cumbre de jefes de Estado árabes..............http://mundo.sputniknews.com/orientemedio/20150328/1035838814.html#ixzz3VgEBt8zt
    28/3/15

    ReplyDelete

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