Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif today pledged support for a peaceful solution to the raging conflict in Yemen, saying that his country is ready to facilitate the process based on four points that include ceasefire, intra-Yemeni dialogue and a broad-based government.
Zarif, who arrived here on a two-day visit to discuss the Yemen crisis, held detailed talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz.
His support for the negotiated solution to the crisis came a day after Sharif called on Iran to get involved in a debate on security in the war-torn Yemen.
"We need to work together to find a political solution," Zarif told a joint press conference with Sartaj Aziz.
The visit is taking place when Pakistan's parliament is mulling a request by Saudi Arabia to provide troops, jets and warships to join its coalition fighting the Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen, allegedly backed by Iran.
"Let us have a ceasefire, access for humanitarian assistance, intra-Yemeni dialogue and a broad-based government," Zarif said.
"We can only facilitate as countries in the region...But these are the four lines on which my government has been operating," the Iranian foreign minister said.
Zarif said it was only the people of Yemen who have the final say in finding a solution to their problems. He said countries like Turkey and Oman support the idea of ceasefire.
When asked about Iran's backing to Houthi rebels, he said his government was not bombing the people of Yemen -- a veiled swoop at arch-rival Saudi Arabia for launching air strikes.
He did not rule out sitting with Saudi Arabia to find a solution to the crisis believed to be fuelled by the rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran.
On a question about sending Pakistani troops as requested by the Saudis, Aziz said the matter was being debated in the Pakistani parliament. He said Pakistan wants a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Zarif reached Islamabad from Oman, where he had gone for consultations on "the humanitarian plight in Yemen and regional developments," the Iranian foreign ministry said.
He will meet Prime Minister Sharif tomorrow. Sharif has already visited Turkey last week over the issue.
Sharif yesterday told parliament he was waiting for a message from the Turkish leader to take more steps to tackle the issue. He also has a plan to involve the leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia to help calm the situation.
There is a growing concern in the Muslim world that the Yemen crisis may deepen the sectarian divide and may endanger the peace and stability in other countries, mostly having both Sunni and Shiite populations.
Pakistan has a 20 per cent Shia population who are already under attack by extremist Sunni groups like the Taliban and the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
