Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt comments on the recent escalation in violence against citizens in cities across Yemen and urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
Speaking today, he said:
“The UK condemns the recent escalation in violence and the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators in Yemen. The number of deaths in Sana’a and Ta’iz since renewed fighting broke out on 18 September is deeply disturbing. The UK urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and abide by the ceasefire, resume political negotiations, and establish a mechanism for the peaceful and managed transfer of power. Such a mechanism was outlined in the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative.
We urge President Saleh to act on his clear commitment to political transition, leading to early Presidential elections. The UK calls once again upon President Saleh to sign the GCC initiative at the earliest opportunity to stop further bloodshed.
The UK has since March strongly advised against all travel to Yemen and urged all British nationals to leave Yemen immediately. In the current volatile security climate, we once again urge all British nationals to leave immediately while commercial airlines are still operating.”
