UN Chief says Negotiations only Way to prevent Long Conflict in Yemen

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday the negotiations are the only way to prevent long conflict in Yemen.

Speaking about the Yemen crisis at the Arab Summit kicked off today, the UN chief stated that he had “repeatedly condemned the attempts by the Houthis and former president Saleh to undermine political agreements by military force. I take note that military action has been undertaken at the request of Yemen’s sovereign and legitimate leader, President Hadi,” said Ban Ki-moon.

“Negotiations — facilitated by my Special Envoy Jamal Benomar and endorsed by the Security Council — remain the only chance to prevent a long, drawn-out conflict. It is my fervent hope that at this Arab League summit, leaders will lay down clear guidelines to peacefully resolve the crisis in Yemen,” he noted.