We seek peace dialogue after situation fixed in Yemen: FM

The Yemeni foreign minister said Thursday that the legitimate leadership of Yemen seeks a peaceful national dialogue after settlement of the situation in the conflict-stricken country, Egyptian official news agency reported.

"We seek peaceful dialogue after situation in Yemen is settled following the military strikes launched by the coalition forces against Houthi-controlled sites to defend legitimacy," MENA quoted Riyadh Yassin as telling reporters on the sidelines of Arab ministerial meetings in the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The remarks followed the airstrikes launched by a Saudi-led Arab coalition against positions controlled by the Shiite Houthi forces that ousted Yemeni President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi in February and forced him to flee the capital city Sanaa to the southern seaside city of Aden.

"The airstrikes were not directed against specific individuals, sect or groups, but against those who used weapons and forces to seize the legitimate authority in Yemen," the Yemeni foreign minister said, adding that "we do not want to alienate anyone."

Early in the day, Saudi Arabia and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states launched airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, a move condemned by Iran but supported by the United States, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday evening that Hadi has arrived in the Saudi Arabia's capital city of Riyadh. Hadi is expected to attend the Arab Summit to be held in Egypt's Sharm El- Sheikh during March 28-29. Enditem