The GCC foreign ministers decided to suspend their initiative to address the political conflict in Yemen because of the lack of suitable circumstances to sign it by all parties.
They also regretted the siege that was imposed on the UAE's Embassy in Sanaa. Armed with guns, knives and swords, supporters of Yemen's leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, trapped U.S., European and Arab ambassadors at a diplomatic mission in new turmoil that swept across the capital Sunday as the president refused to sign an agreement calling for him to step down in 30 days.
Saleh refused twice before to sign the agreement. But this weekend it had appeared he was finally relenting, under intense pressure from his allies, the United States and Gulf Arab countries that mediated the accord. The opposition parties signed the accord on Saturday, and the Yemeni president grudgingly promised he would sign the following day.
Instead, the mercurial leader showed his determination to cling to the power he has held for 32 years, despite increasing isolation.
The GCC ministers, in a statement after their one-day extraordinary meeting, said they were keen on helping the Yemeni people to overcome their differences and to reach a compromise that would safeguard the security, stability and unity of Yemen.
They hoped Yemeni President would sign the GCC-brokered agreement as soon as possible in order to pave way for a peaceful transition of power.
The foreign ministers called on all parties in Yemen to be patient and act wisely.
