Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the meeting of the Southern Transitional Council National Assembly on 16 and 17 February, what assessment they have made of the current situation in southern Yemen and the tensions between the government of Yemen and secessionist groups.

The issue of governance arrangements for southern Yemen is ultimately a question for the Yemeni people. The UK position - and that of the UN Security Council - is to support the unity, sovereignty and independence of Yemen. We urge all Yemeni groups to pursue political aspirations through peaceful dialogue and to refrain from violence.