China's UN envoy presses for de-escalation in Yemen situation

The United Nations Security Council is called into an emergency meeting on the latest Mideast conflict flared up by Iranian violations of Yemen's airspace and Saudi Arabian airstrikes at Sana'a International Airport in Yemen on Monday.

Chinese envoy Sun Lei has expressed serious concern with calls on all parties concerned to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation.

Media reports say the Saudi attacks were meant to prevent an Iranian civilian plane carrying a Houthi delegation from landing, and that the aircraft was later diverted to Yemen's Hodeidah airport.

The Iran-backed Houthis claim they subsequently fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha airport later that day, while no casualties were reported.

Addressing the Security Council session, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari urges all actors to address their differences through dialogue and emphasises Yemen and the wider region cannot afford another escalation.

The parties have negotiated an agreement in May to free over 1,600 conflict related detainees, the largest such release since the start of the conflict in the war-torn country.

The official contends unilateral measures risk entrenching divisions, expediting fragmentation and heightening the danger of military confrontation.

Sun Lei, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the UN, reaffirms the position that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all Middle Eastern countries should be respected.

He states China has always maintained that "the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, and civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian objects should be protected."

Meanwhile, the US deputy representative asserts they will stand with the Yemeni government, while accusing Tehran of using flights to Houthi-controlled Sana'a to move Revolutionary Guards personnel into Yemen - an allegation that Iran denies.

Tammy Bruce says: "The United States stands with our partners in the Gulf, and we stand with the Republic of Yemen government. Against the Iranian-supported Houthi terrorist threat."

Bruce further pledges that Washington won't unilaterally implement its interim memorandum inked with Tehran and will retaliate with force should Iranians "continue to threaten safe passage protected by the MoU."

{Danni Zhou TVB News}

{China's UN envoy presses for de-escalation in Yemen situation}

{TAG:}