GCC foreign ministers reiterate rejection of Houthi coup in Yemen

Riyadh, Feb14(BNA) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa attended this evening in Riyadh the 41st extraordinary session of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council to follow-up the developments unfolding in neighbouring Yemen. The ministers reiterated their strong condemnation of the Houthi-led coup and all that it entails. In a statement issued tonight, they stressed keenness on Yemen's security, stability and territorial integrity, affirming their solidarity with the Yemeni people and rejection of the unilateral measures taken by the Houthi militias. The council affirmed support to the legitimate authority and strongly condemned the continuous sequestration of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Prime Minister Khalid Mahfoudh Bahah and other officials by the Houthi militias, calling for their immediate release. It voiced support to all Yemeni forces which are seeking to resume the political process, beyond violence or intimidation, on the basis of the GCC Initiative, the outcome of the national dialogue, including the endorsement of the constitution, in addition to preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections, the establishment of the army the security agency and state institutions on national foundations. The council has also rejected the so-called constitutional declaration, which was issued by the Houthis, dismissing all the measures which were taken to impose a de facto situation by force, and halt any attempt to change social strata in Yemen. The statement called on Houthi militias to stop resorting to force, withdraw from all the areas under their control, hand over the weapons which their plundered from the military and security establishments and engage in the political process. It urged the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene urgently on the level of foreign ministers' to pass a resolution rejecting the Houthis' coup. The statement has called upon the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution under Chapter VII of UN Charter, which allows urgent measures to protect international peace and security which are now at stake due to the continuous coup on the legitimate authority, and voice rejection of the so-called constitutional declaration. The ministers have also called upon the UN Security Council to take urgent measures to guarantee the safety of President Hadi, prime minister Bahah and other officials and ensure their release. They urged the UNSC members to support the peaceful political transition on the basis of the GCC Initiative, the outcome of the national dialogue and implement the UNSC Resolution 2140 for 2014 under Article VII of the UN Charter which stipulates sanctions against any side which attempts to derail the peaceful transition of power. The GCC member states expressed hope that the UN-led efforts would succeed in reaching an agreement between all sides for Yemen to overcome this impasse, while preserving the legitimate authority and resuming the political process on the basis of the GCC Initiative and the outcome of the national dialogue The GCC states have also warned that they would take measures, in case an agreement is not reached, to preserve their vital interests and help the Yemeni people overcome these dangerous developments so as to safeguard their country's security, stability and territorial integrity and maintain the GCC security and stability as well.