RIYADH-SABA
Vice President (Lt Gen) Ali Mohssen Saleh met Tuesday with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The meeting aimed to discus historic relation between the two friendly countries and political developments in the Yemeni national arena and underway efforts to establish peace in Yemen and go on jointly fighting terrorism and extremism.

The Vice President praised Yemeni-British historic and deeply rooted relationship. He highly appreciated British role in supporting political transformation in Yemen within the countries sponsoring the GCC's –brokered deal. He expressed thanks for British supportive stance in propping the Yemenis' legitimate leadership and democratic process in which they unanimously decided to choose Field Marshal Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi as President of Republic of Yemen. He also valued British international stance in supporting the Yemenis through International Security Council.

The Vice President stated that legitimate leadership headed by the President of the Republic is interested in achieving permanent peace based on the three terms of reference including GGC's Initiative, its operational plan, outcomes of National Dialogue and International Security Council resolution 2216" The government engaged in UN-lead peace consultations several times", Mohssen said.

(Lt Gen) Mohssen stated that the International Community along with International partners have major responsibility to do including British friends to press for implementing the UNSCR 2216 as that is in the interest of Yemen, Yemeni people and maintaining international peace and security.

The Vice President indicated that Houthi coup's risks go far beyond Yemen to threaten regional and international security by targeting international maritime navigation and firing ballistic missiles and drones toward the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates." Houthi danger has proved far beyond Yemen's borders to international security and stability", said Mohssen.
(Lt Gen) Mohssen pointed out to the difficult humanitarian situation Yemenis have been enduring and increasingly worsening basically because Iran-backed Houthi militia's coup d'état. Ever since the militia has taken authrority, neutralized all basic services, repressing the citizens, targeting civilians, looting their salaries and monopolizing relief and humanitarian aids. He welcomed efforts made by brothers and friends to mitigate the humanitarian crisis at this critical stage.

For his part, the British minister reiterated the British government's support for legality in Yemen, hailing historic and strong relations between the United Kingdom and Yemen. He also confirmed British government's support for the UN envoy's good office to reach peaceful solution to the Yemeni crisis and put an end to the Yemenis' suffering.

Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Yemany and British Ambassador to our country Michael Aron were in attendance.