British government advises “Southern Transitional Council” to “postpone secession”

SANAA, Aug. 21 (YPA) – The United Kingdom of Britain has advised the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to “solve the problems usefully and clearly, and be a part of the exiled Hadi’s government”, calling on the organisation to postpone its declaration of a secession of southern Yemen until the end of the ongoing Saudi-led coalition war.

“It is in favor of the Transitional Council, and we have said this to them, to solve the problem in a useful, clear and positive way and to be a part of the legitimate government,” Michael Aron, the British ambassador to the coalition-backed government in exile of Hadi said.

Aaron’s statements clearly express Britain’s tacit support for the STC.

” They are a political entity that has popularity in some southern regions. We understand that,” he said, adding that “the popularity creates responsibility, but it is not enough.”

“Popularity does not mean legitimacy. Legitimacy is another matter,” the ambassador added.

The British ambassador to the Saudi-backed regime, who is currently living with Hadi and his government in Riyadh, defended the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and welcomed the partial withdrawal of its militias in Aden.

The ambassador ignored the expansion of the STC and spread of his militias outside the city of Aden and its control over the province of Abyan, and failed to mention the matter.

He indicated instead that “at the moment they [the STC] are ready for dialogue in Saudi Arabia, and we hope that there will be an agreement between them and the government.”

On the adoption of the Southern transitional Council’s demand for the secession of southern Yemen, the British ambassador seemed implicitly supportive, demanding only to postpone the separation.

“Periods of war and problems are not the right time to make important decisions for the future of the state,” he stated.

“The United Kingdom, as well as other states and the international community will not recognize the Southern Transitional Council if it takes control of the South and out of legitimacy,” Aron confirmed.

Michael Aron’s remarks came after a visit to the United Kingdom by the President of the Southern Transitional Council in May, at the invitation of the British Foreign Office. In this meeting, STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi announced that the movement had a “partnership with London”.

E.M