Nabil Khouri: Al-Houthi problem is an internal affair [Archives:2007/1028/Local News]

Sana'a, Feb. 25 ) In a live interview with Al-Jazeera television, Nabeel Khoury, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, has stated that the Al-Houthi problem is an internal affair in which the United States does not interfere. He further explained that in 2004 at when the first war began, the American government advised the Yemeni regime to initiate a peaceful dialogue with the Al-Houthi group. He also added Yemeni authorities did its best to avoid an armed conflict with the Houthis, through presenting the Houthi group with different options including forming their own political party and presenting their requests legally.

Khouri also stated that there is external financial and moral support from selected countries to Al-Houthi group, however, he indicated that this support is minor and does not represent a threat to the regime in Yemen in any way.

He also indicated that there might be a risk of Human Rights violations in Saada as a result of the current clashes between Yemeni government forces and Al-Houthi group, however he also stated that Yemen has had an improving track with regards to human rights, and that although human rights in the world became victims of the war against terrorism, There is opposition between the nation's freedom and their safety, which contributed to limiting freedoms of many nations ” Khouri added.
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