HOUTHIS TOLD TO ‘SURRENDER’ AT ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT

Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 9 Jumadil Akhir 1436/29 March 2015 (MINA) – Yemen’s president has called on Houthi fighters to “surrender” at a meeting of the Arab League in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, as Saudi-led air raids continued to strike the group’s positions for a third day.

Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country, also called for the continuation of air strikes against Houthi targets on Saturday, as leaders representing 21 nations opened a two-day summit, Al Jazeera quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“I call for the continuation of Operation Decisive Storm until this gang [the Houthis] announces its surrender, exits all occupied territories in the provinces, leaves state institutions and military camps,” Hadi said.

“Operation Decisive Storm will continue until all the goals are achieved and the Yemeni people start enjoying security and stability.”

Hadi said the Houthis should surrender their weapons and for their leaders to turn themselves in.

Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen continue for third night

Saudi King Salman vowed that the military intervention his government is leading would continue until it brings “security” to the Yemeni people.

The kingdom has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to prevent Hadi’s overthrow, accusing Iran of backing the attempted takeover by the Houthis, who have seized swathes of the country. Tehran denies any interference.

Other leaders, including the leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait,obliquely referenced Iran at the summit.

“This nation [Yemen], in its darkest hour, had never been faced a challenge to its existence and a threat to its identity like the one it’s facing now,” Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi said.

“This threatens our national security and [we] cannot ignore its consequences for the Arab identity.”(T/P001/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)