ADEN, Yemen, Aug 15 (NNN-SABA) – The Saudi-backed Yemeni government, set withdrawal of forces belonging to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) as a precondition for starting dialogue, under the auspices of Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement by the Yemeni Foreign Ministry, the government demanded complete withdrawal of the STC forces from the military bases they have seized, before talks can begin.
The government welcomed Saudi Arabia’s call to convene a meeting, to end the consequences of the coup in Aden.
However, “the STC (must) leave the positions it occupied over the past days, before any dialogue can begin,” the statement said.
Saudi Arabia has officially invited the Yemeni government and the STC to attend a meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to resolve the issues through dialogue.
Yemeni President, Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is self-exiled in Saudi Arabia, held a meeting with Saudi King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a day after the STC forces seized the port city of Aden.
“King Salman affirmed that, he stands by the side of Yemen and rejects whatever threatens Yemen’s unity and social fabric, mainly the acts of the separatist council,” said a statement.
On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition, demanded an immediate cease-fire in Aden and threatened military steps against violators.
The coalition demanded that the military groups in Aden withdraw from areas they occupied in recent days, and keep away from government and private property.
The Yemeni government held the STC and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key partner of the Saudi-led coalition, fully responsible for the consequences of the coup against the authorities in Aden.– NNN-SABA
