Yemen welcomes Iran statements on meddling

SANAA, Yemen, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- The government of Yemen welcomes calls from the Iranian foreign minister to avoid meddling in its internal affairs, foreign affairs officials said Wednesday.

The government in Yemen accuses Iran of supporting the Shiite al-Houthi rebel movement. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has backed Yemen in its fight against the rebels in the north of the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Tuesday called for all parties to abstain from getting involved in the conflict.

"We strongly advise regional and neighboring states not to interfere in Yemen's internal affairs and try to restore peace and stability to the state," he said.

Officials in the Yemeni Foreign Ministry on Wednesday told the Saba news agency the government welcomes Mottaki's statements.

"We welcome what Mottaki affirmed about Iran's position towards Yemen's unity and stability, and Yemen reaffirms that it definitely rejects the interference in its internal affairs by any party," the source said.

The source added the official position against al-Houthi rebels was not based on religion but on a desire to restore stability in Yemen and the rest of the region.

Yemen launched a major military operation against al-Houthi rebels in the north of the country in early August.