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UK regrets Yemen refusal to sign PGCC deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, May 24, IRNA -- Britain's Middle East Minister Alistair Burt Tuesday expressed concern at the continued unwillingness by Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a peace agreement brokered by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council.

“President Saleh’s continued refusal to sign the peace agreement brokered by the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council is a matter of the deepest regret to the United Kingdom,” Burt said.

“He is now isolated from leaders in his own party and the opposition who have demonstrated their commitment to a peaceful transition of power. The (P)GCC initiative represents the best chance to achieve a peaceful settlement to the political crisis,” he said in a statement.

Yemen, a close ally in the US-led war against terrorism, is one of the countries, which the UK has been accused of adopting a softer approach to pro-democracy protests sweeping the Arab world.

“President Saleh’s calculated unwillingness to sign the agreement risks provoking tension at a time when all efforts should be directed towards tackling Yemen’s grave economic, social and security problems. All sides should support this by exercising restraint and continuing to avoid violence,” Burt said.

The UK, he said, had welcomed the efforts made by the secretary general of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council to achieve a peaceful resolution to Yemen’s crisis.

“I condemn attempts to impede his mission including the blockading of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates by armed pro-regime protesters in Sana’a on Sunday,” the minister said.

“The government of Yemen has an international obligation to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic premises and must ensure this at all times,” he warned.

Amnesty International warned over a month ago that the international community must play a more active role if Yemenis are to get accountability for the recent killings in the country.

“The international community has provided development and security assistance to the Yemeni authorities when asked. It is now time for it to step in and help deliver justice for the families of those who have lost their lives during this turbulent period,” Amnesty's deputy director for Middle East and North Africa, Philip Luther said.