Security Council urges Yemeni parties to show maximum restraint, implement GCC initiative

Source: KUNA,25/09/2011

UNITED NATIONS- The Security Council late Saturday urged all sides in Yemen, after President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s return to the country Friday, to reject violence, including against peaceful and unarmed civilians, show maximum restraint, and act on a political transition on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative.

Council President Nawaf Salam of Lebanon said, in a press statement circulated here, that the Council members “called on all parties to move forward urgently in an inclusive, orderly, and Yemeni-led process of political transition, on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative that meets the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people for change.

“They also called upon all the parties to respect their obligations under applicable international law and expressed their grave concern at the continued serious deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen.

“Deeply concerned by the worsening security situation, including the threat from Al-Qaida in parts of Yemen, the Council members urged all parties to ensure access for the provision of humanitarian assistance, expressed their concern about the increasing interruption of basic supplies, and urged the partied not to target vital infrastructure.

“Welcoming the continued efforts of the good offices of the Secretary-General and the GCC, the Council members looked forward to an update on the situation from Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on his return from Sana’a, and agreed to continue to actively monitor the security, political, and humanitarian situation there.

The framework of the GCC Yemen initiative is that Saleh hands over power to his deputy, that a national coalition government be formed that groups representatives from both the current government and the opposition and other political parties, and that Saleh and his family, as well as figures from his regime, be given guarantees they would not be prosecuted.