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Gulf states move embassies to Aden

February 28, 2015 at 1:32 pm

The UAE and Kuwait said on Friday that their embassies in Yemen have moved to the southern city of Aden, one day after Saudi Arabia took the same step. The relocation of the embassies from the capital Sana’a to Yemen’s economic hub underlines their support for President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The president escaped a week ago from Sana’a, where he had been placed under house arrest by Shia Houthi rebels, and fled to Aden.

“The UAE’s decision consolidates the constitutional legitimacy in Yemen represented in President Hadi, his government, the GCC Initiative and agreed political process,” said the Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash. He stressed that his government rejects the Houthi coup d’état “absolutely”, as well as subsequent arbitrary measures taken by the rebels.

The foreign minister added that the security and stability of Yemen will be achieved through the restoration of the legitimate government and political process that resulted from the GCC Initiative to preserve the national unity and stability of Yemen.

Meanwhile, a source at the Kuwaiti foreign ministry confirmed that the country’s embassy move was also in support of President Hadi as the legitimate head of state in Yemen.

Whilst under house arrest in Sana’a, Hadi announced his resignation as president. Upon his arrival in Aden, however, he withdrew the resignation, which in any case had not been ratified by parliament.

He is now working to set up a rival power centre in Aden with loyal army units and tribes, though many members of his government, including the Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, are still under house arrest in Sana’a.