ID :
84993
Sun, 10/18/2009 - 09:57
Auther :

Iran Foreign Minister due in Yemen Soon

SANA'A, Oct. 17 (Saba) - Iran's Foreign
Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is to arrive in Yemen today carrying a letter to
President Ali
Abdullah Saleh from his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad concerning the
bilateral relationship.
Mottaki told the Iranian semi-official Mehr News Agency that the visit comes
because Iran gives more attention to its ties with Yemen.
Iran seeks to help bring stability to this Muslim country, he said, adding Yemen
has welcomed the visit.
Mottaki's visit comes amid accusations that Iran supported the Houthi rebels in
northern Yemen, with Yemen saying for many times that the insurgents, who have been
fighting
the troops since 2004, received training and funds from Iranian bodies.
However, Yemen does not point directly to the Iranian official side, as it affirms
it has collected much evidence over Iranian aid for the Houthis.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi reclaimed on Saturday that Iran
supported the insurgents, pointing to previous announcements by the Iranian
government
when it offered to help put an end to the conflict in Saada and Amran in north Yemen.
Iran's stance over the issue, either through its offers to help end the conflict or
expressing its concerns about the escalating situation, has proved Iran is
involved,
hence, there is no need to talk about further evidence over the involvement, he said.
Two days ago, Yemen closed the Iranian Hospital in Sana'a, saying unsettled debt
was behind the closure.
FR


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