Arab League close to forming unified military force

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said the Arab League is moving closer to forming a joint Arab military force, pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported Saturday.

“Technical teams are already working to develop a vision to establish a joint Arab force, and this will be ready within the next four months,” Shukri said on the sidelines of a state visit to Eritrea.

Speaking about Yemen, the FM said: “There can be no doubt that the situation in Yemen requires serious effort in order to find a solution to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the suffering of the Yemeni people. We need to find a way to return legitimacy and restore stability to Yemen.”

“Egypt is continuing its participation in the alliance and is doing everything in its power to stop the escalation,” Shukri said.

“We are in contact with our partners to provide assistance and help reach a political framework conducive to securing a ceasefire, returning Yemen’s legitimate government to power and ensuring Yemeni security and stability,” he added.

In March, Arab leaders said during an Arab League summit in Egypt that they wish to create a joint military force to help maintain security within the region.

The announcement came in the wake of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen to battle Iranian-backed Houthi militias.