YEMEN - The Yemeni government has rejected the statement of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) announcing a two-year transition phase towards a referendum on the future of the country's southern region.
Anadolu on Saturday, citing a televised statement, said that the STC's political declaration had no legal value and was not in accordance with the constitution and the laws of Yemen.
On Friday (2/1), STC Chairman Aidrous Al-Zubaidi stated in his televised speech that the transition period would include a people's referendum held under the supervision of the United Nations.
Al-Zubaidi said the referendum was related to what he called the southern people's right to self-determination.
However, Al-Zubaidi did not provide details of the structure of the transitional authority, the schedule of dialogue with the north, nor the technical arrangements for the implementation of the referendum. The UN also did not provide support for the proposed plan.
Responding to Al-Zubaidi's announcement, Deputy Minister Al-Majidi said STC's move was a rebellion against Yemen's legitimacy and stressed that the council was aware that no state could be established without Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra - two regions in the east of Yemen.
The Deputy Minister also warned that political developments and field situations in Hadhramaut would cause a very serious split in the southern issue.
Meanwhile, member of the Yemeni Shura Council Salah Batis assessed Al-Zubaidi's announcement as a rebellion against the state and its institutions.
Batis said the constitutional declaration issued by the STC was illegal and added that the move undermined efforts to reach a national consensus and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
Batis also emphasized that the project called the "South Arab State" has no legitimacy and no place in history.
Yemen is facing a sharp escalation of tensions that have been in place since Tuesday, (30/12) after STC forces took over Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra in early December. The two provinces cover almost half of Yemen's territory and border directly with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia on the same day accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of encouraging STC forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom's southern border in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra. Abu Dhabi then denied the allegations.
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