Berlin summons Yemeni ambassador over deadly crackdown

26 March 2011

By IRNA,

Berlin: Germany summoned Yemen's ambassador over the ongoing lethal security clampdown in the Arab country, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said here on Friday.

The German side made clear in the meeting with Yemen's envoy that the conflict in his country could not be resolved by force but only through dialogue, the minister was quoted as saying.

Westerwelle voiced fears about further escalation of violence in Yemen following the Friday prayers in that country.

Germany has withdrawn 80 development aid workers based in Yemen amid the ongoing violent government represssion.

Meanwhile, Berlin has also downsized its embassy staff to a 'core team' and has pulled out all non-essential staff and family members.

On Thursday, German Development Aid Minister Dirk Niebel threatened the Yemeni regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh with sanctions, if he continues his deadly suppression of peaceful protests in the Arab country.

Niebel pointed to 'the possibility of targeted sanctions,' should the brutal government crackdown continue.