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UAE Summons Iranian Envoy to Protest Arming of Houthis | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Women loyal to the Houthis hold up weapons as they take part in a parade to show support to the insurgents in Sana’a, Yemen September 7, 2016. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah


UAE Summons Iranian Envoy to Protest Arming of Houthis

by | Feb 3, 2017 | Middle East |

UAE Summons Iranian Envoy to Protest Arming of Houthis

Abu Dhabi- The United Arab Emirates said Thursday it summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires in Abu Dhabi to protest Tehran’s arming of Houthi insurgents in Yemen, including providing them with drones.

The foreign ministry handed the diplomat a “protesting memorandum concerning Iran’s illegal arming” of Houthis, according to state news agency WAM.

It said that “Iranian weapons, including unmanned drones targeted recently by the Arab coalition, represent a flagrant violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized the historic stand of the UAE towards the people of Yemen and its commitment to support the country’s legitimacy, which would contribute to restoring security and stability, and safeguard Yemen’s sovereignty and unity.

He also stressed the strong relations between the two countries.

The UAE minister made the remarks on Thursday when he met with Abdul Malik Al Mukhlafi, Yemen’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The two men discussed the latest developments in regional and international arenas and exchanged views on a number of issues in Yemen.

Al Mukhlafi was in the UAE to attend the Fourth Session of Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum.

The closing statement of the forum emphasized “commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen” and supported “the aspirations of the Yemeni people for freedom, democracy, social justice and development.”

It emphasized “support for the legitimate government led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi” and stressed “the urgent need to restore the legitimate authority of the state through a peaceful settlement of the conflict, in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and United Nations Security Council relevant resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.”

The closing statement also called “for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire as a first step for the resumption of an inclusive Yemeni political process.”