WAR IN YEMEN: UN Sec-General Ban Ki-moon - "Yemen is Collapsing Before Our Eyes"

UNITED NATIONS: The UN warned yesterday that Yemen is "collapsing before our eyes", on the brink of civil war and prime for Al Qaeda militants to grow stronger in the country as talks on a political settlement continue.

Al Qaeda and other militants have stepped up attacks since rival Houthi fighters from the north seized the capital in September and started expanding across the country.

The Houthis have sidelined the central government in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, briefed the Security Council yesterday.

"Yemen is collapsing before our eyes. We cannot stand by and watch," Ban told the 15-nation council.

"We must do everything possible to help Yemen step back from the brink and get the political process back on track."

Qatar's UN Ambassador Shaikha Alya bint Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, speaking for the GCC, urged the Security Council to take action.

"It is a coup against the legitimate government in Yemen," she said.

"We should bring pressure to bear on the Houthi to stop using force and to withdraw from all governmental institutions." - http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/

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