Luxembourg, 20/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers expressed “extreme concern” on Monday 20 June about violence in Yemen, and urged all sides to cease hostilities. “Violence cannot resolve the issues that confront Yemen. Those who stand in the way of peace must be held accountable, and those responsible for violence against peaceful protestors must be brought to justice”, they said in written conclusions from their talks in Luxembourg. Yemen's political crisis began as largely peaceful street uprisings in February, similar to those in Egypt and Tunisia, but turned violent late last month when tribal militias took up arms. President Ali Abdullah Saleh left the capital, Sanaa, for hospital treatment in Saudi Arabia after an attack on his palace early this month, but supporters insist that he will return. An EU official said on Friday 17 June that the EU “must proceed with some prudence”, while Saleh is out of the country.
The EU ministers also expressed “serious concern” about the humanitarian impact of the fighting, including on many thousands of people who have been forced from their homes. “The authorities in Yemen must meet the challenge of restoring order in a manner which complies fully with international human rights standards”, they said. They added that the EU was ready, along with other international partners, to provide assistance and political support to help Yemen through this transition. (LoC)