Britain has called on all parties to the conflict in Yemen to return to the negotiating table to find “an inclusive political solution”.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said in a joint statement that Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself against security threats, including missiles launched from Yemen, adding that the UK supports the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts to restore legitimacy in Yemen, as accepted by the UN Security Council.
The statement stressed that all sides must “redouble their support for the UN’s efforts to reach an inclusive political settlement which addresses the root causes of the conflict”.
It also called on Iran to stop sending weapons to Yemen saying: “If Iran is genuinely committed to supporting a political solution in Yemen – as it has publicly stated – then it should stop sending in weapons which prolong the conflict, fuel regional tensions, and pose threats to international peace and security.”
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“Countries of the region and the international community” should “redouble their efforts to support of this goal”, the statement said, calling on parties to the conflict to allow unhindered commercial and humanitarian access to all of Yemen, and for the government of Yemen to pay public sector salaries across the country.
According to the statement, Britain will “continue to play its role in restoring peace and security so that Yemenis can resume their normal lives.”
Britain is the third largest humanitarian donor to Yemen.