Yemen stability is UAE’s goal: paper

ABU DHABI, 2nd November, 2015 (WAM) -- A UAE paper has said that Al Houthis have repeatedly undermined the legitimate authority and the political transition based on the GCC Initiative. "Critical circumstances have engulfed Yemen and the UAE has been relentlessly continuing its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemenis. The liberation of Aden, following the Houthi carnage, has helped a great deal in increasing humanitarian support to the local populace," said The Gulf Today in an editorial on Monday. It is important to note that Yemen has remained one of the biggest recipients of UAE aid. The idea has always been to help that country remain peaceful and politically, economically and socially viable. The Sharjah-based daily quoted Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at the second Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, as saying, "We will not accept that Yemen – right in our backyard – should be home to a Hizbollah-style, Iranian-backed militia. Instead we have intervened to protect the region’s long-term stability." "Highlighting the UAE’s generosity is the fact that it provided humanitarian aid totalling Dh744 million and became the world’s largest aid donor to Yemen in 2015, offering almost half of the aid pledged by other countries of the world. "Despite the formation of a new government in November 2014 aimed to end a period of political turbulence and bringing about a full transition towards democracy, until today Yemen continues to be plagued by violence owing to deplorable actions by the Al Houthi militia. "There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that a peaceful solution can soon be found and the UAE has made it clear that it is not against dialogue. But Iran first needs to change its attitude. "The wishes of the Yemeni people and the legitimacy of the Yemeni government are of paramount importance when it comes to resolution of the conflict. As Yemen looks forward to a new phase of security, peace and reconstruction, the people of Yemen will surely treasure the support extended by the UAE. "There is only one way to end the conflict: a political solution based upon the GCC Initiative and UNSC Resolution 2216. "For dialogues to succeed, there is an obvious need for sincere intentions. The Al Houthis and their backers need to prove a lot more on that front," concluded the daily. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/general/1395287428608.html