UN raises concern at Yemen's worsening living conditions

Aug 9, 2011

New York - The UN Security Council expressed on Tuesday 'grave concern' at the worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen following months of unsettled popular uprising.

The 15-nation council held closed-door discussions about Yemen, which included a briefing from UN officials with first-hand information on conditions.

India's UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, who is serving as the council president in August, read an official statement to reporters cautioning also about the worsening security situation resulting from 'the threat of al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula.'

'The members of the Security Council urged parties to ensure access for the provision of humanitarian assistance, expressed their concern about the interruption of basic supplies, and urged all parties not to target vital infrastructure,' Puri said.

The council called for all Yemeni parties to move forward urgently to an 'inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led process of political transition that meets the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people for change.'

The political dialogue among Yemeni parties are being led by the Gulf Co-operation Countries (GCC), and a UN special envoy, Jamal Benomar, is representing the UN in seeking a solution to the unrest.