UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council expressed grave concern on Tuesday over the deteriorating situation in Yemen and called for an immediate ceasefire and restoration of full authority to legitimate government institutions.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Mr Ban condemned the recent kidnapping of Ahmed Awadh Bin Mubarak, Director of the Office of the President, and demanded his immediate release.

The UN chief said he deplored the heavy fighting between Ansarallah armed groups and Yemeni presidential guards in Sanaa.

“All sides must abide by their stated commitments to resolve differences through peaceful means to ensure the full implementation of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement in accordance with the outcome of the National

Dialogue Conference and the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] Initiative and Implementation Mechanism,” he said.

Published in Dawn January 22nd , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play