Saudi Arabia issues warning over south Yemen turmoil

Saudi Arabia on Thursday issued a stern warning to Yemeni separatists who have seized key parts of the south, saying any attempt to destabilise Yemen amounted to a threat to the kingdom.

In its first strongly worded response to the crisis threatening to splinter Yemen, Riyadh demanded separatists return captured military and civilian facilities to the Saudi-backed government while renewing calls for dialogue.

"The kingdom stresses that any attempt to destabilise Yemen is a threat to its security and stability...and will be dealt with firmly," the official Saudi Press Agency said.

"It also affirms its...position that there is no alternative to the legitimate government in Yemen and that it does not accept any attempts to create a new reality in Yemen by using force or the threat of force."
"The kingdom affirms...the need to restore the camps and headquarters of the military and civilian institutions of the legitimate government. The warring parties...must take part in dialogue in the kingdom immediately."