Yemen

There are 2 posts tagged Yemen (this is page 1 of 1).

GCC To Support Yemeni Refugees if Need Arises

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is entering a new stage in its development as it celebrates 30 years since its founding.

GCC Determined to Stay United

The Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, released a statement to the press  affirming the unity felt among the governments of the GCC countries in spite of the recent developments in the region which has place stress on the various alliances.

Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah

Bin Abdullah added that the reason for this unity is that the citizens of the Gulf region understand and respect the importance of unity and loyalty to their homelands as well as to their leadership.

Yemen Point of Concern for GCC

The Foreign Affairs minister also expressed his sadness at the unfortunate events which have been transpiring in Yemen over the last two days, calling on the sides involved in the conflict to use wisdom when discussing their disagreements and differences.

Bin Abdullah explained that although the GCC has halted their initiative to help Yemen, they are nevertheless ready to lend aid to the people of Yemen, saying,

“We are ready to help our Yemeni brothers once the circumstances and ground situation on which we can work are appropriate.”

No Refugees So Far

He stated that so far Oman has not seen any large scale traversing of the borders of Yemen as a response to the present crisis there, and he does not expect to see a refugee problem, but if one should arise in the future Oman is ready to help out in whatever ways are needed.

In response to other issues of concern to the GCC Bin Abdullah stated that the issue of Jordan and Morocco joining the GCC is one that will be discussed to see if such a step adheres to the goals that were determined at the Consultative Summit.

UN Meets to Discuss Violence in Yemen

For the first time ever the United Nations met late on Tuesday to discuss the decaying political and social situation in the country of Yemen. Civil rights groups there have claimed that two months of demonstrations demanding the resignation of the president have already resulted in the death of at least 120 people.

On Tuesday security forces loyal to the Yemeni government opened fire on demonstrators resulting in the deaths of at least three and sending UN representatives to the discussion table to try and hammer out a plan to create calm in the strategically crucial country.

The efforts at the U.N. however, were less than useful as the international peace-keeping body could not agree on a statement which was put forth by Lebanon and Germany. The statement called on the sides in Yemen “to exercise restraint and to enter into a comprehensive dialogue to realize the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people.”  The statement also called on the sides to adhere to the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council to mediate the dispute.

While the U.N. discussed Yemen in the Security Council a delegation representing the Yemeni government was on its way to Abu Dhabi, part of the United Arab Emirates, for negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation body, to discuss a proposal for the President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to transfer power to his deputy, which is believed will end the crisis. Similar talks were held by the opposition parties in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.