GCC information ministers slam Houthis, Saleh forces

RIYADH — Information Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states have agreed on the need to highlight the humanitarian tragedy suffered by the people of Yemen because of the Houthi militias and forces loyal to the ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The ministers also agreed to focus on the violations of international laws by the Houthis and other militias in Yemen, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel Al-Turaifi said here on Thursday, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. A a press conference here with GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani at Riyadh Airbase Airport after the meeting of the GCC ministers, Al-Turaifi stressed that the Houthi militias and forces loyal to Saleh have banned entry of humanitarian assistance to Yemen. "GCC states must present the real image of the political efforts exerted by our leaders for the sake of restoration of the legitimate government in Yemen and to deter the Houthi militias," Al-Turaifi said. A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of information ministers stressed depth of relations binding the GCC states and continuation of coordination and consultation among GCC states in various fields, particularly in the field of media. The GCC ministers added that the meeting discussed a number of media issues that support the joint media action among the GCC countries, including deepening and consolidating GCC identity, strengthening links of the GCC society and promoting security, stability and safety. Earlier, in his opening speech, Al-Turaifi also spoke about the need for unification of GCC media efforts to portray in its proper perspective the sinister plot hatched by Houthis and Saleh supporters to thwart any meaningful negotiation on the Yemen crisis and their launching of ballistic missiles and projectiles into the Kingdom randomly leading to casualties. "These criminal attacks, in fact, represent an attack against all GCC countries," he added.