U.N. committed to Yemeni solution

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a Nobel Peace Prize recipient he was doing everything possible to end Yemen's protracted political conflict.

Ban welcomed Yemeni pro-democracy activist and 2011 Peace Prize co-laureate Tawakkul Karman to U.N. headquarters to discuss the humanitarian and political crisis in her country.

During her visit, Ban reassured Karman "that the United Nations was doing everything possible to help the Yemeni people resolve the current political standoff and to promote an orderly, inclusive and Yemeni-led transition process," his office stated.

Violence flared during the weekend in Yemen after embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh delivered a national address blaming opposition forces for unrest in the country.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement from Geneva this week said it was time for an international investigation into the violence in Yemen. Those responsible for killing demonstrators must be prosecuted "regardless of rank or title."

Saleh has endured international pressure to stand down for much of the year. A deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council for his resignation in exchange for immunity remains unsigned.

Saleh was gravely wounded during an attack on his presidential compound in June.