UN officials set to take part in high-level meeting on challenges facing Yemen

The United Nations political chief will head a delegation from the world body taking part in tomorrow’s international high-level meeting in London on the situation in Yemen, amid rising concerns about the possible influence of Al-Qaida and other radical elements in the Arab country.

B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, is among the UN officials participating in the gathering, which will also examine economic, development and humanitarian issues.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has organized the one-day conference, which aims to bring together representatives of the Yemeni Government, the UN and the broader international community to determine how they can best jointly tackle the major challenges facing Yemen, including the threat posed by terrorism.

Sustained international support will be needed to ensure Yemen’s prosperity, security and stability, a UN spokesperson said today, stressing that it is hoped the conference will be the start of a long-term process of cooperation between Yemeni authorities and the country’s regional and international partners.

Senior UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes, have voiced concern in recent months about the humanitarian situation in the country’s northwest, where fighting between Government forces and rebels have displaced thousands of people.