JEDDAH: The Yemeni government says that the only way to resolve the crisis in the country and to stem the strength of Al-Qaeda is for dialogue between all parties and mediation by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The government fears it is losing control over the security situation in the country especially after Al-Qaeda allegedly took over an ammunition warehouse in the southern part of the country. Dr. Abubakr Al-Qirbi, the Yemeni Foreign Minister, said the real way out of the Yemeni crisis is for dialogue to take place between all parties and to reach an agreement on a road map, based on the five points accepted by the Yemeni President. This would guarantee the country's future security and stability. In a telephone interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Al-Qirbi said the crisis in his country is an internal matter, but stressed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) realizes the importance of Yemen's stability and its unity. He said no Saudi mediation has crystallized yet to resolve the crisis on the Yemeni streets, but hoped this would happen in future. The minister said the demands for reform, combating of corruption and building a modern state are not only the demands of the protesters, but are old grievances of the Yemeni people. He argued that political disputes have prevented the government from meeting these demands. Yemeni wisdom Asked where Yemen is heading to at this stage considering the demonstrations on the streets, Al-Qirbi said the Arab streets are boiling, not only those in Yemen. He said resolution of the situation depends on the wisdom of the political leadership and the political parties in the opposition. He said a way should be found to resolve the political crisis, meet the demands of the Yemeni people and youth and guarantee security and stability. When asked about the large numbers of Yemeni people wanting President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime to step down, Al-Qirbi said a large part of the Yemeni people want the president to remain in power. Asked whether there are foreign parties behind events in Yemen, he said foreign parties have always been everywhere and are exploiting the internal circumstances for their own benefit. Asked about the US role in resolving the escalating situation in Yemen, he said the US and Europe are trying to ensure talks between the government, the ruling party and the opposition parties in the country. He said the GCC countries can “play an important role, the way the Europeans are doing now toward narrowing the gap between viewpoints” in the country.
