France calls for Security Council to monitor Yemen crisis

France called on the UN United Nations Security Council to closely monitor the situation in Yemen and make a strong statement on any outbreak of violence in the country, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said on Monday. Valero said that since Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh returned to the country on September 24, the Security Council has been concerned about the government's further actions in the country. "France urges the Security Council to carefully watch the situation in Yemen and make a strong statement on any outbreak of violence in the country," Valero told a news conference in Paris. "The violence should be stopped. It is important that President Saleh take responsibility and immediately start a democratic transition, taking into account the interests of the Yemeni people. We call on all interested parties to assist in reaching an agreement," Valero said. Valero mentioned the importance of accepting a plan written by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Mass anti-government rallies have been going on since February in Yemen. Demonstrators have demanded reforms and the resignation of President Saleh, who has led the country for more than 30 years. Washington has also urged the Yemeni president to yield to the opposition's demands. Negotiations between the government and the opposition on a plan presented by the GCC broke down in the middle of September. Saleh appointed a deputy to attend the negotiations, and the Yemeni opposition refused to take part. According to the plan, Saleh would leave office within 30 days after signing an agreement and handing power to the vice president in exchange for immunity from prosecution for him and members of his family.