Pakistan wants peaceful settlement of Yemen crisis: Sartaj Aziz

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday said Pakistan firmly believed that peaceful settlement of the crisis in Yemen will significantly contribute to efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

Addressing a session of foreign ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held at Jeddah on the issue of Yemen Sartaj Aziz said there is a dire need to ensure that the region does not get further destabilized by terrorist groups.

We are committed to enhancing cooperation with the GCC countries in combating extremism and terrorism, he said.

The Advisor said the overwhelming sentiment in Pakistan is also in favour of a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Yemen.

He said Pakistan has strongly condemned actions by the Houthis to overthrow the legitimate government in Yemen led by President Abdul Rabbo Mansoor Hadi.

He said Pakistan enjoys very close and brotherly relations with the Muslim Ummah and specially the GCC countries.

He said the sanctity of the two Holy Mosques and full support to their Custodian
is a foreign policy imperative for Pakistan.

Any threat to the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia will evoke a strong response from Pakistan he added.

The Advisor said We fully support the objectives of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia to restore the legitimate government in Yemen and withdrawal of Houthis from the territories seized by them including Sanaa.