Almotamar.net, Saba - The international community is responsible to support the government of Yemen in the challenges facing the country, British Minister of State of Foreign Office Ivan Lewis has said.

“The country faces many challenges; the security and stability and the most important of which are economic and social challenges," said Lewis in a press conference he and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu- Bakr al-Qirbi held at the building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday.

He said that donors have to support the government of Yemen to create jobs to the people, improve standards of living and help health and educational services to enable citizens get access to.

He said he met with President Ali Abdullah Saleh and discussed with him aftermaths of London Conference held last Wednesday and establishment of a new era of bilateral cooperation.

"We have established a new chapter in this morning meeting with the president in historical relationship between Yemen and England in which the British will provide more support to Yemen," said the British official.

Over results of London Conference, he said the conference gave Yemen great opportunity to discuss with the International Monetary Fund about reforming the economy and generating more resources to the government so that it will be able to respond to the challenges it faces.

"We also agreed in the conference to establish a fund to Yemen which will look to a number of challenges that Yemen faces," he added.

Over reasons of his visit to Yemen, the said there several reasons behind the visit, talking about preparations for the forthcoming two meetings assigned for discussing support to Yemen, the GCC meeting in Riyadh late of this month and March meeting for the group of Yemen's friend.

"I am also here to visit the British-funded projects in Yemen. Britain is involved in supporting the creation of jobs improving training and helping to develop small businesses," he said.

He also revealed that asking about conditions of Briton kidnapped citizen is part of his visit, which is considered the second to Yemen.

A part of my visit is asking about the kidnapped British citizen see the British Citizen and his German friends realized as soon as possible.

"Security and stability is essential in Yemen, al-Qaeda must be defeated in terms of the stability in this country and threat it poses to the world," military action by the government is necessary to this purpose".

Over suspension of Yemenia airways' flights to the United Kingdom, he stated that this suspension comes in the framework of strengthening security measures to cope with the high level of security risks. But he indicated that the flights will be resumed after the two countries (Yemen and the United Kingdom) ensure security measures.

Regarding the question of the hostages, UK State Minister called the kidnappers to release the hostages. "Whatever grievances are, it is totally wrong to use civilians in the pursuit of political and other objectives."

On government's efforts to release the kidnappers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said the government continues efforts to release the kidnapped, "efforts are continued to ensure their safety and then their release."

Over latest increase of prices of fuel during the past two days, al-Qirbi justified that the increase "is a result of program reforms the government is following up and there will be policies and measures to ease the effects on the citizens of limited income."

Regarding the internal problem in the north and the south and help of Britain and other countries to Yemen to overcome them, the British official said, we provide security support to Yemen represented in supporting coast guards, besides other projects.

In respect to the TV channel of separatists which is broadcasting from London, Lewis aid there is a difference between the freedoms of speech where people have the right to oppose any government and that his country deals with it according to the law and if it is outlaw.

However, he said, taking a legal action against it will need strict proves. But if it is just expressing views bothering the government, this is another thing falls under the freedom of speech.

Over support By the Britain to Yemen to face terrorism and another support to the government efforts to restore order in Sa'ada and stabilize the south and whether London meeting discussed this, he affirmed the international community's responsibility to support Yemen facing its challenges " yes, I affirm the stability of Yemen."