UN Security Council resolution on Yemen

The United Nations Security Council has demanded Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen withdraw from government institutions. It called for an end to foreign interference and threatened "further steps" if the violence does not stop.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution drafted by the UK and Jordan at an emergency meeting in New York on Sunday afternoon. It "deplores actions taken by the Houthis to dissolve parliament and take over Yemen's government institutions, including acts of violence."

Shiite Muslim Houthi fighters have sidelined the central government since taking over the capital Sanaa in September. Earlier this month they dissolved parliament and took over government institutions.

The resolution also demands that the Houthis release US-backed former President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his ministers from house arrest and engage in UN-sponsored peace talks "in good faith."

It comes after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned the council at a briefing on Thursday of the worsening situation. He said that "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes."

Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar said: "We need to prevent Yemen from sliding into the abyss."

"It was clear the world was waiting for a powerful message from the UN Security Council," British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant told the council. "The Houthis must take responsibility for their actions and stop using violence and coercion as political tools."

Local protest

Thousands of Yemenis demonstrated in several cities on Saturday against the rule of the Houthi movement. Recent clashes between Houthis and Sunni Muslim militants in a southern mountainous region left 26 dead. The Houthis and the militant Sunnis of the al Qaeda branch in Yemen are bitter rivals.

The resolution demands that all parties in Yemen "cease all armed hostilities against the people and the legitimate authorities of Yemen and relinquish the arms seized from Yemen's military and security institutions." It also calls on UN member states to "refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability."

Gulf Cooperation Council

Yemen borders Saudi Arabia. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a bloc of six energy-rich Gulf states comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, had urged the Security Council to adopt a resolution under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. This allows decisions to be enforced with economic sanctions or force.

But the UN Security Council resolution approved by all 15 council members does not act under Chapter 7 and the text only demands that the Houthi rebels "immediately and unconditionally" withdraw forces from government institutions.

On Sunday, the GCC warned that if the world fails to respond, it is prepared to take action on its own to maintain regional security and stability, but the group did not elaborate on what measures it might take.

The Arab League has called a meeting to discuss Yemen on Wednesday.

jm/bw (AP, AFP, Reuters)