[24/February/2010]

By: Abdul-Satar Hatita

Edited into English by: Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, Feb. 24 (Saba)- Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi called on brotherly and friendly countries to contribute in reconstructing Sa'ada governorate after the announcement of stopping the war.

He revealed that there were groups in gulf countries supporting Houthis, "Shiite groups in the gulf helped rebels in the northeast of the country against the central government."

He expressed his country's concern to establish Yemeni-Saudi border security relation to secure border against weapons and drugs trafficking, raising unrest and instability between the two parts.

In interview with Al Sharq Al Awsat Newspaper in Sana'a two days after announcing ceasefire between the government and Houthis, al-Qirbi said one of the committees supervising ceasefire has been assigned for border affairs to ensure implementing the condition regarding borders an Houthis withdrawal from Saudi lands and replacing Yemeni solders deployment on these areas.

Whether the next period would witness more security cooperation between Yemen and Saudi Arabia over the two sides of the borders, particularly on the area has witnessed Houthis rebellion, he made it clear that security cooperation between Yemen and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was there even before the erupting of this war. "We and Saudi Arabia are in real partnership in facing al-Qaeda and as a result, there is security and intelligence coordination between the two countries."

He added that all of us are aware that Yemen and Saudi Arabia have to cooperate to secure border for the safety of the two countries and over talking with Saudi part on this issue, he said this is important part of coordination between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

On a question whether stopping the war includes more sovereignty of Yemeni authority on borders with Saudi Arabia in the area witnessed rebellion, Minister al-Qirbi said:" What we are talking about is permanent stop of the war not mere ceasefire."

" By stopping the war, we will return to settling all conditions in Sa'ada and practicing all state's sovereignty in the whole Sa'ada, including border area," he said, indicating Yemen's concern on establishing Yemeni-Saudi border security ensuring not using Yemeni border to smuggling weapons or drugs, evoking unrests and insecurity on border and surrounding areas.

He further said banning Houthis infiltration into Saudi borders is one of the six conditions set by the government to stop the war. "What is a threat to Yemen's security is a threat to Saudi security and vice versa. Houthi elements broke into Saudi lands as a result the kingdom interfered in the war within the limits of its borders and in coordination with Yemeni government. Consequently, it was necessary to include border issue in security solutions as a part of the agreement with Houthis," said al-Qirbi.

He refuted circulations that there are hidden hands for some countries supporting Houthi rebellion started in 2004, saying that these countries provides assistance to Yemen's development but some Shii groups in gulf states are those who support Houthis.

"I refute any support from Gulf States to Houthis but some Shii groups in some Gulf countries have provided material support to Houthis. Gulf states all contribute with 60 percent of development support to Yemen so that they are real partner to Yemen's development," he asserted.

He called on brotherly and friendly countries to contribute in reconstructing Sa'ada, saying that after ending the fifth war with Houthi rebels in July 2008, the government established a fund for Sa'ada reconstruction but sorrowfully, eruption of the sixth war in August 2009 has hindered many projects.

The foreign Minster added that the government's financial pledges will be greater but this does not exempt it from continuation of reconstruction process and defining its priorities as well as asking the brotherly and friendly countries to assist Yemen in reconstruction process.

Whether the ceasefire could be permanent and changed into lasting peace in the area of the rebellion, al-Qirbi said:" This is what all Yemenis, led by the president, hope to reconstruct Sa'ada and revive development in the governorate.

Over if there is still hope despite Houthis's recent violation of the ceasefire; Dr. al-Qirbi said any ceasefire is always followed by violations from here and there." No ceasefire without violations here and there. This is natural in wars and the nature of elements fighting (the army) and because of the disputes they might be exist between them but I do not think it (violation) is posing a problem in the process of realizing peace."

On Yemenis fear of that Houthi rebels could exploit the ceasefire to re-arm themselves and arrange their fronts as it has happened during the fifth war, the foreign Minister said: " If we embarked on doubt on wills, there will be no peace in the whole world not only in Yemen. So that we are embarking on trusting wills from Houthis part as they are from ours that this war will be the last."

He added that Houthis understand that the havoc they left and the Yemeni bloodshed has no justification as the government always circulates it is ready to cure legal demands of Sa'ada citizens and of all the Yemeni people according to the law, the constitution, the unity and the republic.







Saba