President highlights UNHCR support to refugees

SANA’A, May 18 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh highlighted support of the United Nation High Commission for Refugees to African refugees in Yemen. During his meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres on Sunday, President Saleh, hoped more support from the UNHCR to Yemen and hoped that the commission would call on international community to provide necessary support to the country for facing economic, social, health and security effects resulted in refugees’ issue. He confirmed that realizing security and stability in Somalia will support efforts for combating terror and facing marine piracy Somali elements carry out, noting importance of international community’s efforts in this field. The UN official expressed UNHCR’s gratefulness and appreciation to humanitarian role of Yemen for hosting African refugees, especially Somali one. “What Yemen provides, despite its limited resources and capabilities, expresses high humanitarian stance determines international community and all organizations including UNHCR to provide aid and great support to Yemen,” said Guterres. He expressed UNHCR’s keenness on increasing aid for enabling Yemeni government to provide better services to refugees. He also thanked Yemen’s efforts in realizing peace and stability in Somalia via several initiatives and talks the country hosts under the patronage of President Saleh to Somali factors reconciliations. MA/MA Saba