UK minister urges Yemenis to vote

The UK Foreign Office on Monday released a statement urging Yemeni citizens to "support political freedom". Speaking ahead of Yemen’s Presidential election on 21 February Alistair Burt, the UK's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “I strongly welcome tomorrow’s Presidential election in which the Yemeni people have the opportunity to show their support for political freedom and exercise their democratic rights for the first time since 2006. The interim election represents a key moment in Yemen’s political transition, and I call on all Yemenis across the political spectrum to take part peacefully." Burt said he hoped Yemenis would seize this chance to turn their back on conflict and political marginalisation. “There are clear challenges facing the Yemeni people and the authorities. But their courage, commitment and hard work have made possible something that was unimaginable just months ago. The small minority who would seek to disrupt events through intimidation and violence must not be allowed to win. I condemn all recent attacks on polling stations and election commission staff," said Burt. “Tomorrow’s poll must also be respected. It is a crucial opportunity to endorse political change in a country that for too long has suffered from humanitarian, economic and security crises," he finished.