A Shiite militia rejected today a UN call for it to cede power in Yemen after it seized the capital Sanaa and put the president and premier under effective house arrest.
The militia, known as Huthis, told the Security Council to "respect the will and sovereignty of the Yemeni people, and to be accurate and objective", a day after the UN body urged it to quit and free the leaders, as well as engage in UN-brokered negotiations.
It also told the Council "not to follow the lead of regional powers that aim tirelessly to eliminate the will of the Yemeni people in a flagrant violation of international conventions that criminalise meddling in internal affairs."
The statement from the "Supreme Revolutionary Committee" was clearly referring to neighbouring Gulf monarchies which have demanded the UN act with force against the Huthis.
"The revolution does not target our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council; not now, nor in the future," said the statement.
On Saturday, Yemen's six Gulf neighbours called on the "UN Security Council to take a decision under Chapter Seven of the United Nations Charter," which allows the use of military force if there are breaches of the peace or acts of aggression.
On February 6, the Huthis ousted the government and dissolved parliament, tightening their grip after Western-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi offered to resign in protest at their advance.
Prime Minister Khalid Bahah has also tendered his resignation.
