President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met Sunday with the Vice President and Prime Minister of Yemen, Khaled Bahah. The meeting was also attended by Egypt's Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghafaar, Minister of Planning Ashraf Al-Araby. From the Yemeni side, the ministers of planning, international cooperation, the Interior Ministry and human rights along with Yemen's permanent delegate to the Arab League attended. The Yemeni Vice President reaffirmed Egypt's pivotal role in the region and its importance as a pillar for security and stability, according to statements by the presidential spokesperson. Bahah also commended Egypt's efforts in support to the unity and stability of Yemen, and discussed the latest updates on the situation there. In turn, Al-Sisi confirmed Egypt's position in support of legitimate rule in Yemen and its support of all efforts to maintain security and stability there. Al-Sisi emphasised the need for all political parties in Yemen to continue undergoing dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations, and based on the Gulf's initiative and UN Security Council resolutions and decisions. The importance of a "political solution" to the conflict was stressed on by the president, who warned that the absence of a political solution and the continued deterioration of the situation would only benefit terrorist and extremist groups in Yemen. Egypt sided with Saudi Arabia, which, at the end of March, led to a coalition of Arab countries launching military action against the Houthi rebel forces. The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, and a number of cities, whilst also forcing Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi out of the country.
