- Move also condemned by the internationally recognized government as a breach of international laws
- Announcement comes after Iran's supreme leader met Houthi official in Tehran last week
DUBAI: The British ambassador to Yemen denounced the recent appointment of a Houthi “ambassador” to Tehran, saying only the legitimate government of Yemen can appoint official diplomats.
The Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV said late Saturday that a “presidential decree was issued appointing Ibrahim Mohammed Mohammed Al-Dailami as an ambassador … for the republic of Yemen to the Islamic republic of Iran.”
The move was condemned by the internationally recognized government as a breach of international laws.
UK ambassador Michael Aron said late Monday that the Iran-backed Houthi militia has “no right to make such an appointment.”
Iran made no announcement about accepting the appointment of an ambassador for the Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa and much of the north.
“This person has no official position - we will not meet him,” Aron tweeted. He also said he reiterated the UK’s support for the government of Yemen when he met Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed on Sunday.
Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi severed diplomatic relations with Iran in October 2015, accusing Tehran of providing military aid to the militants.
The announcement comes after Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei held talks in Tehran last week with a Houthi delegation headed by rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam.
(With AFP)