Gulf | Yemen
Yemen officials say rebels refuse to embrace peace
The reconstruction efforts in Sa'ada cannot continue unless Al Houthi rebels relinquish their positions in the mountains, Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister for Defence and Security Affairs, Rashad Al Alimi said.
- By Nasser Arrabyee, Correspondent
- Published: 23:25 September 9, 2008
Sana'a: The reconstruction efforts in Sa'ada cannot continue unless Al Houthi rebels relinquish their positions in the mountains, Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister for Defence and Security Affairs, Rashad Al Alimi said.
He accused the rebels of intending to continue the war, which has wreaked havoc in the Sa'ada area and cost the government over $50 million (Dh183.5 million) for reconstruction.
"Despite the fact that the government troops have withdrawn nearly all positions, the Al Houthi groups are still building fortifications and taking over new positions," he said.
Taking mountains
"They take over one or two mountains every day, and still control over about 60 schools," he added.
Al Alimi says that the Yemen government's main goals were reconstruction, stability and security in the northern region of Sa'ada.
On July 17, President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared an end to a four year war with the Al Houthi rebels on the basis of 10 points. Included in these was a demand that the rebels must hand over heavy and medium-sized weapons and retreat from positions in the mountains.
But Saleh Habra, an Al Houthi spokesman, said that it was the government who did not want to end the war. He added that the Qatar-sponsored peace agreement has not achieved its aims.
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