[07/03/2018 01:19]

RIYADH-SABA
The Government of Yemen has warned of environment and humanitarian catastrophe could be caused by oil leak from Safer Company Tanker docked on Hodedia coasts over neglecting maintenance for years.

"On behalf of the Government of Yemen, I would like to draw your attention Safer Oil Tanker docked off Yemen's Western Coast is in bad and deteriorating situation, a matter threatens of imminent environmental and humanitarian catastrophe in the Red Sea," said Deputy Foreign Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulmalik al-Mikhlafi in a government message sent to the UN Secretary General António Guterres.

Al-Mikhlafi demanded the UN's help for evaluating the condition of the tanker for maintenance operation for avoiding oil leak to the Red Sea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that evaluation and maintenance work to the tanker represents humanitarian necessity given the dangers of catastrophes on environment and people because of the leakage.

"For this, I would like to ask help of the United Nation to define suitable bodies for conducting an evaluation to the tanker and maintenance, including definition of skilled institutions from the Public Sector or private sector companies and contracting with them in accordance to the need," the letter went on.

Minister al-Mikhlafi made it clear that the government will provide necessary support for facilitating this task and maintenance operations to any company or organization.

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