BRUSSELS, Oct. 01 (Saba) – The European Union (EU) has condemned violence taken place recently in some governorates in Yemen.
"We strongly condemn recent violence that has taken place in Sa’ada, Jawf, Amran, Mareb and Sana’a," Michael Mann, the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, told RIA Novosti.
He demanded the involved parties to respect the authority of the government after the conflict showed no signs of abating.
"We urge all groups to uphold a permanent ceasefire, for the legitimate government authorities to have sole and full control over security and public institutions," he stressed. "Those engaged in armed confrontation must lay down their heavy weapons and surrender weapons seized from the regular forces and act in keeping with the law."
Mann said the EU was constantly monitoring the situation in Yemen and kept in touch with EU Member States embassies in Sana’a.
The 28-member European Union had welcomed the peace and national partnership agreement signed earlier, he said, underlining that the members called all parties for "full implementation of all its elements."
He also urged Yemeni security forces to uphold the highest standards of conduct and to demonstrate maximum restraint in their response to protests.
Ashton’s spokesman said the EU remained concerned about the terrorist activities of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and other extremist militant groups, warning terrorists were "working against the will of the Yemeni people and remain a threat to the international community."
"As security is an essential prerequisite for the success of the transition period, we recall the urgency for the government to move forward with resolve to reforming the security sector both on the military and on the civilian side," he said.
Mann concluded his statement by emphasizing the EU’s readiness to assist the Yemeni government in overcoming the current challenges.
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