Abu Dhabi — The United Arab Emirates, whose troops have played a major role in a Yemeni government offensive against the port city of Hodeidah, said Saturday that it was ready to support diplomatic efforts to secure a rebel withdrawal.

But it said the pullout must be unconditional and from the whole city not just its vital docks, the entry point for three-quarters of Yemen's imports.

"The coalition will achieve its goal, which is to free the city, including the port," UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted.

"In the meantime, it will support all efforts to secure a peaceful and unconditional withdrawal by the rebels," he added.

The Yemeni National Army supported by Coalition forces launched offensive against Hodeidah on June 13 and on Wednesday overran its disused airport after deadly fighting with the rebel garrison.

On Saturday, the airport continued to come under mortar fire from adjacent rebel-held neighborhoods in the south of the city. Government forces responded against the source of the fire.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths, who held abortive talks in the rebel-held capital Sanaa last weekend, was continuing "consultations with all sides to avoid a military confrontation in Hodeidah and return rapidly to the negotiating table," his office said.

The Coalition says that the port has been used by the rebels as an entry point for weapons smuggled from Iran. — AFP