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2nd LD: Arab FMs agree to form Arab united force

Xinhua, March 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Arab foreign ministers agreed Thursday to form an Arab united force for immediate action, Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi said.

"This is a great progress and a historical move in terms of the Arab joint work that an Arab united force will be established for the first time and work in the name of Arab states," he said at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry.

The remarks came after a preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Egyptian Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh, during which the Yemeni crisis and the recent Saudi-led airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen topped the agenda.

Arabi pointed out that he was assigned to invite Arab military chiefs of staff within one month for a meeting to form the united military force, adding that the move is based on the Common Arab Defense Treaty signed in 1950.

For his part, the Egyptian foreign minister said the anticipated Arab united military force will work "according to a framework that supports preserving the Arab national security."

Shukry added that there were no disagreements among the Arab foreign ministers regarding the formation of the Arab military bloc that will be able to "act swiftly" against those who turn against legitimacy.

He said the situation in Yemen has been discussed in a special session held by the Arab foreign ministers earlier in the day, expressing their support for the Saudi-led military strikes in Yemen.

"The coalition's action is in support of the legitimacy in Yemen," Shukry said.

Meanwhile, he condemned the Houthis who resorted to military actions and rejected peaceful and political settlement, noting that the Saudi-led military coalition included most of the Gulf states as well as Egypt and Jordan.

The Shiite Houthi forces 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, turning Yemen into a field of violence and raising fears of a civil war in the chaotic country.

Saudi official media reported on Thursday evening that Hadi has arrived in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh.

The Yemeni president is expected to attend the Arab Summit to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh during March 28-29. Endit