Britain welcomes Yemen dialogue start

British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed tonight the start of National Dialogue in Yemen and called on parties to bring about the future Yemenis deserve. In a statement, Hague congratulated President Abdo Rabbu Mansour Hadi, his government and all participants on the successful launch of Yemen's National Dialogue Conference. These talks represent the best opportunity for Yemenis to come together to resolve peacefully the differences and grievances that divide them, the minister underscored. He said he sincerely hoped that the Conference will be able to reach widely-shared recommendations on the political future of Yemen, in particular on a new constitution and on preparations for next February's democratic elections. Hague was full of praise of what the Yemeni leaders and people have achieved, saying they have gone a long way since the violence of 2011. "The Yemeni people have shown patience and determination, and its political leaders have overcome their differences to bring their country to the start of National Dialogue", he reiterated. Meanwhile, the foreign secretary called upon all parties to work together and to bring about the future that Yemenis aspire to and deserve.