Saudi to host conference on situation in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is to host an international conference to discuss the economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen, as well as other challenges facing the impoverished country such as al-Qaeda threats, the Houthi rebels and the political transition, reported the Al Arabiya news network. The UN envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar has said that the international community is concerned over what is happening in Yemen. He added that he will hold a ministerial-level meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh for the “Friends of Yemen” states to evaluate the political process in the country and the obstacles facing it. Monday’s attack is Sanaa’s most deadly since president Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi took power in February with a pledge to fight al-Qaeda’s growing presence in the country. Yemen’s army launched an offensive on May 12 to retake al-Qaeda towns and cities held by extremists across Abyan. The army’s offensive in south Yemen came days after the White House announced that a plot by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) -- al-Qaeda'a Yemen affilliate --  to blow up a US airliner had been foiled. Since the offensive began, 234 people have been killed, according to a tally compiled by AFP, including 158 al-Qaeda fighters, 41 military personnel, 18 local militiamen and 17 civilians.