RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, on Tuesday expressed hope that Emirati forces will withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours in accordance with a Yemeni request, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Cabinet also said it hoped the UAE will cease any military or financial support to the Southern Transitional Council and any other party within Yemen, SPA added.

The Cabinet said it also hoped that the UAE will take the necessary steps to preserve Saudi-Emirati relations which the Kingdom is keen to strengthen, and said it looks forward to working together toward everything that will enhance the prosperity and stability of countries of the region.

The Cabinet expressed its regret over the outcome of de-escalation efforts that the Kingdom has been keen to pursue, which have been met with an unjustified escalation that contradicts the principles upon which the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen was founded, undermines its efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen, and is inconsistent with all the promises the Kingdom received from the UAE.

The Cabinet appreciates the role of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen in protecting civilians in the governorates of Hadramaut and Al-Mahra in response to the request of the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi, and in reducing escalation in order to achieve security and stability and preventing the expansion of the conflict.

The Cabinet reaffirmed that the Kingdom will not hesitate to take necessary steps and measures to confront any infringement or threat to its national security, and its commitment to the security, stability and sovereignty of Yemen, and its full support for Al-Alimi and his government.

In other regional affairs, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of Somalia, and rejects the declaration of mutual recognition between Israel and Somaliland as it enshrines unilateral separatist measures that violate international law.