LUXEMBOURG, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The European Union expressed concern on Tuesday over conflict in Yemen and urged the government to do more to protect human rights and guarantee international humanitarian law. The government faces challenges from Zaidi Shi'ite Muslims in the north who have been in rebellion against central authority since 2004 and from separatists in the former South Yemen. EU foreign ministers said in a statement after talks in Luxembourg that stability was vital for Yemen and the region as a whole. "In this context, the Council (of foreign ministers) is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, political and economic situation across the country," the ministers said. Calling for political dialogue, they said: "In this respect, the Council insists on the obligation to respect human rights and international humanitarian law." The statement urged the government to do all it could to allow civilians trying to escape from conflict areas to reach safety and to ensure access for humanitarian relief teams. "Everything must be done to ensure that humanitarian personnel, facilities and vehicles are spared the effects of the fighting," the foreign ministers said. Opponents of President Ali Abdullah Saleh complain of political and economic marginalisation by the Saudi- and Western-backed government. The Zaidis also say they are persecuted by Sunni Muslim radicals who have gained in influence through Saleh's close ties to Sunni power Saudi Arabia. The conflict in the north has intensified since the army unleashed Operation Scorched Earth on Aug. 11. Aid groups, who have been given limited access to the northern provinces, say up to 150,000 people have fled their homes. The United States and Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, fear the instability could allow al Qaeda a new base for operations. Saudi Arabia says a number of wanted militants have fled there. (Writing by Timothy Heritage; editing by David Brunnstrom)
Anti-government demonstrators march as they hold up flags of former South Yemen during a protest in the southern Yemeni city of Habileen October 27, 2009. Thousands of people took to the ...
International Humanitarian Law
