ARAB LEAGUE leaders meeting in Egypt declared yesterday that Saudi-led air raids in Yemen will continue until Shi’ite rebels there “withdraw and surrender their weapons.”

The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh also agreed in principle to set up a joint military force.

The US-backed coalition began bombing Yemen on Thursday, saying that it was targeting the Houthi Shi’ite rebels and their allies, which include forces loyal to Yemen’s ex-leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The participants, principally Saudi Arabia and Egypt, also have plans for a ground invasion of the country.

Arab League secretary general Nabil Elaraby said: “Yemen was on the brink of the abyss, requiring effective Arab and international moves after all means of reaching a peaceful resolution have been exhausted to end the Houthi coup and restore legitimacy.”

By legitimacy, the Arab leaders mean the return of US ally President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled the Yemeni capital Sanaa last week for the southern city of Aden before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

Mr Hadi told the summit that Iran was behind the Houthi offensive, raising the spectre of a regional conflict.

Iran and the Houthis deny that Tehran arms the rebel movement, although the Islamic Republic has provided humanitarian and other aid.

Asked to explain vague references in the league communiqué to “foreign powers” being behind conflicts in various Arab nations, Mr Elaraby said: “There is meddling by some neighbours, Israel on one side, Turkey and Iranian interference in several countries.”

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said a high-level panel would work under the supervision of Arab chiefs of staff to work out the structure of a joint military force.

His officials have suggested that it would consist of up to 40,000 elite troops and be based in Cairo or Riyadh. The force would be backed by jet fighters, warships and armour.

Iraq and Lebanon voiced disquiet over the plans and are unlikely to participate.

The Saudi Press Agency said air strikes on Yemen continued to target Scud missile sites and had left most of their launching pads “devastated."

by Our Foreign Desk