UNITED NATION-
The United Nations’ diplomat on Yemen advised the Security Council on Tuesday to “do its part” for assisting to put a stop to the element that are trying to hamper the Yemeni transition, which diplomats said was a call for possible sanctions against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
“Undoubtedly there is real progress in the transition and the beginnings of a new political culture in Yemen, yet the situation remains fragile,” Jamal Benomar, special adviser to the U.N. secretary-general on Yemen, told reporters after briefing the 15-nation council.
Benomar referred to a November 27 statement by the Security Council that said elements of the former government continue to “obstruct, frustrate and undermine the course of change, aiming to set back and bring down the transition.”
“I told the council that the Yemeni people are doing their part and they are counting on this council to do its part,” he said.
Several diplomats said Benomar was encouraging the council to consider sanctions on Saleh and other individuals believed to be obstructing the transition.
Several diplomatic sources present at the closed-door meeting said it appeared all council members were ready to begin work on setting up a new U.N. sanctions regime for Yemen
U.N. ambassador of Jordan and this month’s president of the Security Council, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, told media representatives that the council would start “drafting a resolution in the coming days which will support the wishes and aspirations of the government and people of Yemen.”
“Council members also expressed their readiness to look into taking measures against any side that attempts to place obstacles to subvert,” stability in Yemen, Prince Zeid told reporters.
Since the outing of former President Saleh in 2011, Yemen has been gripped in an economic crisis as well as in a struggle against southern secessionists.
The council has previously expressed concern over reports of interference by Saleh and former vice president Ali Salim Al-Beidh.
Under the U.S.-backed power transfer deal, President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is supervising reforms for an provisional period to ensure a transition to democracy after new elections expected this year.
-AGENCIES