Saudi Ambassador to the UN Abdullah al-Mouallimi expressed the concern of Saudi Arabia and Arab countries over Iran's actions in the Gulf area, including Tehran's amring of Houthis in Yemen to target civilian areas in the kingdom.
The Ambassador was speaking in the presence of Yemeni representative Abdullah al-Saadi, Arab League representative Majed Abdel Aziz, UAE Deputy Permanent Representative Saud al-Shamsi, and a representative of the Bahraini delegation on behalf of the Arab Group.
The ambassadors handed the UN Secretary-General a copy of the decisions of the Arab Summit held recently in Makkah on Iran's behavior through its agents in Yemen, Lebanon and elsewhere, and its direct involvement in recent events in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, threatening security and peace in the region.
He noted that the ambassadors conveyed to the Secretary-General the Arab emphasis that Iran must end this behavior, which constitutes a provocation to peace not only in the Gulf but also in Bab el-Mandab and the Red Sea region.
Mouallimi reported that the UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres was quoted as expressing his appreciation for reaching to him and noted that Guterres will meet with the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Jawad Zarif and will discuss some of these concerns with him.
Asked about United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock statement on aid Saudi Arabia and UAE are providing, Mouallimi stated, “I reject this statement and I believe its inappropriate and rude.”
He asserted that Saudi Arabia is the biggest aid donor in Yemen, and have provided more than $15 billion since the beginning of the conflict by direct support or through special aid organization.
"This year we alone have paid more money into Yemen than any of the donors in the world," Mouallimi told reporters.
The Ambassador also stated that the Kingdom has paid this year more than $400 million to the United Nations and other aid organizations to embellish UN’s aid activities.
He recalled how Lowcock himself described the Saudi support exemplary and called for other nations to follow their lead, while reaffirming that the “Kingdom will fulfill its commitment to the United nations.”
Regarding diplomatic initiatives with Iran, Mouallimi asserted that the time is always suitable for that, however, diplomacy needs common ground based on international law and treaties that include non-interference in other countries’ affairs.
He also announced that Saudi Arabia is in contact with Iran through the Islamic summit held in Makkah recently.
“We don't want war with Iran in Yemen or elsewhere, and it’s high time that the war in Yemen should end and the Houthis should accept UN resolution 2216 by ending their illegitimate occupation of power in Yemen.”
Mouallimi appreciated and respected international condemnations of Houthi attacks on civil targets in Saudi Arabia, however, he asserted that the implementation of Security Council resolutions, including resolutions calling for the arms embargo on the Houthis, is required and needed.
