Saudi minister hopes Pakistan will send army to fight Houthis

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Religious Affairs Shaikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz has expressed the expectation that Pakistan will join the coalition of Islamic countries and send its army to fight rebels in Yemen.
He was giving an interview to this correspondent. The interview will be aired on Geo at 7 pm today.The Saudi minister rejected all talk of mediation saying this is not acceptable in any way.
He said an agreement was concluded between Ali Abdullah Saleh and Mansoor Hadi that was known as Gulf countries agreement. He said this was signed by all parties in Yemen but Houthis violated this agreement and tried to occupy the country with the use of force.
He said there was no justification to talk with the rebels who have violated international law. He said talks would be held when rebels lay down arms and return to their positions.He blamed Iran for arming the Houthis and giving them such missiles that can hit any area of Saudi Arabia including Harmain Sharifain.
He said Iran had earlier destabilized Iraq and Syria and now it is interfering in Yemen. He said Iran’s engagements have been a threat to whole the region including Saudi Arabia. The minister said Saudi Arabia would stop this Iranian interference and crush rebellion by the Houthis in accordance with Shariah at all costs.
He also expressed concern at the proposed US-Iran nuclear deal and Russian announcement of giving missiles to Iran.He said Saudi Arabia is not at war with Yemen but is siding with Yemen against rebels on its own request. He said Saudi Arabia is fighting for the sake of right against wrong.
He said the Yemeni president had called an Islamic conference in Riyadh that would propose measures for peace in Yemen.The Saudi minister termed his Pakistan visit very successful. He said he met high officials here and exchanged views with them. He said Saudi Arabia always remained in touch with Pakistan and “this is something we are proud of.” He said he has taken the Pakistani government into confidence on the Yemen operation against Houthis.