UN Ban hopes Arab Summit would reach peaceful solution to Yemen's crisis

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has emphasized that negotiations are the only chance to prevent a protracted conflict in Yemen, hoping the Arab League Summit would reach a peaceful solution to the Yemen's crisis.
Addressing the 26th Arab Summit held in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Ban stated that a presidential statement of the Security Council had reiterated that the solution to the situation in Yemen is through a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process.
"I know how worried all of you are about the unraveling situation in Yemen and the tremendous toll it is taking on an already suffering population," he said.
He added that this morning he has listened very carefully to the statements by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi of Yemen.
"I share those deep concerns. I have repeatedly condemned the attempts by the Houthis and former President (Ali Abdullah) Saleh to undermine political agreements by military force," he added.
He noted that the military action against Houthis was carried out upon a request by legitimate President Hadi, underlining the significance of coordination between the UN and the Arab League.
Ban hoped that the Arab Summit would overcome challenges the region is facing.
On the Palestinian cause, Ban said that the situation in the Gaza Strip is a real barrier in front of achieving international peace and security, calling on Palestinians to the national reconciliation. On Lebanon, Ban said that the country is still an example of coexistence, calling for addressing the root causes that fuel extremism and violence.
As for Libya, he said that the United Nations works on continuing encouraging dialog among Libyans.
"Further to the west, it is crucial that we continue to encourage dialogue among the Libyan people," he said.
"UN-facilitated talks between Libyan actors are continuing along multiple tracks, facilitated by my Special Representative Bernardino Leon," he said, adding the preservation of Libya's unity and territorial integrity is essential." As for Iraq, he said: "I encourage leaders to continue and deepen national reconciliation efforts. I appreciate the League's support to the people and government of Iraq in their fight against Daesh (ISIL). This support also benefits regional stability." In another context, the UN chief underscored the importance of national dialogue in Sudan.
"National dialogue is also critical in Sudan and I urge that the process take place in a credible and conducive environment," he said.
Concerning Darfur, Ban said that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur provides a good framework to address the root causes of the conflict, adding implementation efforts must continue.