Yemeni president: UNSC mulls punitive measures against spoilers

Security Council President Ambassador Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan said late Tuesday that the Council members welcomed "warmly" the results of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in Yemen, and are considering punitive "measures" against the spoilers of the hard-won gains in the political transition in the country.He told reporters the Council welcomed "warmly the results of the National Dialogue Conference which ended its work successfully. The Council will work on 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 and take measures against any side that attempts to place obstacles to subvert the implementation of the results of the Conference." The Council President's statement came following a closed-door meeting during which members listened to a briefing by Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Yemen Jamal Benomar on the progress of the political process in the country, the successful conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference, the remaining tasks, and the challenges ahead.Benomar also told reporters following his briefing to the Council that "elements" of the former Yemeni regime are working to undermine the political transition in Yemen. He said he urged the Council to take "measures" to stop them before it is too late."Undoubtedly there is real progress in the transition and the beginnings of a new political culture in Yemen, yet the situation remains fragile ... Elements of the former regime continue to maneuver to obstruct, frustrate, and undermine the course of change, aiming to set back and bring down the transition," he said."Yemenis have developed the blueprint for a new system of democratic governance, setting the country on an upward and irreversible trajectory ... I briefed the Council of this systematic pattern of obstruction, which constitutes a genuine threat that could plunge the country into chaos if the threat is not removed soon. All that has been invested and gained hangs in the balance," he warned."I told the Council that the Yemeni people are doing their part and they are counting on this Council to do its part," he added, in an indirect reference to the punitive "measures" he wants the Council to take against the spoilers.Although neither the Council President nor Benomar mentioned former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh by name today as a spoiler, the Council did mention him by name in the last Council Presidential Statement on Yemen last fall, warning him that the members would take measures against him and his former aides if they do not stop their negative interference in the political transition in Yemen.What is unique about Yemen is that the "whole world is in support of Yemen, all speaking in one voice, supporting this unique transition ... Those who believe that the Council is divided about this issue are deceiving themselves, " he said, in an indirect reference to Saleh and other "spoilers" who imagine they can take advantage of a divided Council. Benomar said the Yemenis "should be congratulated for what they have accomplished through the National Dialogue and President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi exercised strong leadership in shepherding the NDC to its successful conclusion. He deserves all our support." Benomar also said the UN has worked "very closely, harmoniously, and constructively" with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in support of the political transition.He added that the GCC countries provided important contributions in the context of the 'Friends of Yemen,' in support of the Yemenis to revive their economy and address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.