Yemeni government welcomes UN call for all-around dialogue

SANAA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni government on Saturday welcomed a proposal of the UN Security Council, which called on the country's political rivals to show "maximum restraint" and to "engage in an inclusive political dialogue," the state-run Saba news agency reported.

"The government of Yemen welcomes the statement of the UN Security Council issued on Friday that called for all-around dialogue of all Yemeni political sides," Saba cited its government's statement as saying.

"The Yemeni government is ready to engage in constructive talks with opposition parties for the sake of the country's unity, stability and security," the statement read, in response to the call of the UN Security Council.

The government said also that the promised dialogue would be based on an earlier reconciliation initiative brokered by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and hailed by the UN.

The UN Security Council on Friday expressed "grave concern" on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Yemen, urging all parties to show "maximum restraint" and to "engage in an inclusive political dialogue."

Yemen has witnessed five-month-long anti-government protests since mid-January, calling for ousting their long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh.