U.N. takes tough line on Yemen

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UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council called on the government in Yemen to fulfill its obligations under a political transition planned outlined by Persian Gulf leaders.

In February, Yemenis voted in a one-man contest to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh as head of state. Saleh last year agreed to a political transition deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council in exchange for immunity, giving control of the country to Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, his vice president.

The GCC measure called for a national dialogue conference to address national unity.

The security situation in Yemen has deteriorated since the agreement in large part due to fighting between pro-government forces, supported by the United States, and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemeni branch of al-Qaida.

The Security Council resolution calls on Yemen to convene a national dialogue, restructure the military under a unified command and implement political reform with the aim of general elections in 2014.

The Yemeni envoy to the United Nations said the country needed help to strengthen its economy, noting it lacked the ability to take on AQAP alone.

The Security Council said it would consider sanctions against those in the country who thwart national development.