Russia submits draft U.N. resolution calling for Yemen ceasefire

Russia submitted a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen, Al Arabiya News Channel correspondent reported.

The resolution presents no timeframe for the pause and does not demand a Houthi retreat, the correspondent added.

Separately, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for a 24-hour ceasefire to deliver urgent aid as it warned of a humanitarian crisis.

The one-page-text distributed to the council would call on the Saudi-led coalition to halt air strikes to allow the evacuation of foreigners, a Security Council diplomat told Agence France-Presse.

The measure made no reference to previous calls by the Security Council for the Houthis to pull back and return to political talks, a diplomat said.

Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov told reporters as he headed into the meeting that the pause would ensure that “when we evacuate people, to make sure it’s secure and safe.”

Yemeni Houthi militias stormed and took control of the headquarters of the Russian consulate in Aden, Al Arabiya News Channel reported on Saturday.

British Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson said his country continues to “support the Saud-led action in Yemen in response to a legitimate request from President Hadi.”

“The only way out of this crisis is to return to political talks on an equal basis,” Wilson added.

[With AFP]