SANAA — Turkey and Japan became the latest countries on Monday to temporarily close their embassies in Yemen as the United Nations Security Council on Sunday urged Houthis to cede power, release President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and negotiate in “good faith,” after the Shiite militia vowed to defy the body's “threats.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision had been taken due to the “deterioration in security” in the country.
“We hope that the authority of the state is reestablished in Yemen so that we can resume our diplomatic services in this friendly state.” Operations at the mission in Sanaa were suspended as of Sunday due to the “worsening security situation” in the country, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
Its staff have evacuated to the Japanese Embassy in Qatar, from where they will be fulfilling some duties.
Houthi militiamen dissolved Yemen's government and parliament on Feb. 6 after seizing the presidential palace and key government buildings.
In its resolution, the Security Council demanded that the Houthis “immediately and unconditionally” engage in “good faith” in UN-brokered negotiations, withdraw their forces from government institutions and relinquish power.
The text, adopted unanimously by all 15 Council members, also demanded that the militia release Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and other officials and activists under de facto house arrest or in detention.
All parties must “accelerate inclusive UN-brokered negotiations” and set a date for a constitutional referendum and elections, the resolution added.
It raised the possibility of sanctions, without going as far as Gulf countries, which have demanded coercive measures under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.
It was the Council's first resolution on Yemen since the Huthis grabbed power in a move the United States and Gulf Arab countries described as a “coup.”
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council said Saturday it would act if the rival factions in Yemen fail to resolve their differences, without elaborating.
The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced support for the GCC statement, and the Arab League said it will hold an emergency meeting on Yemen on Wednesday. — Agencies
