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Madame President, Lithuania voted in favour of this resolution, which is sending a strong much needed signal from the international community that all parties in Yemen should quickly come back to the negotiation table and spare hundreds of thousands of Yemenis affected by the severe fighting.

The humanitarian situation in Yemen is dire. Hundreds of civilians have lost their lives and were wounded, over 100,000 civilians have fled their homes. Nearly 16 million people – almost two thirds of the population – are in need of humanitarian assistance. Lithuania underscores the call of the resolution on all sides to strictly observe international humanitarian and human rights law. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to each those in need without delay.

This Council has a responsibility to do whatever is in its power to prevent Yemen from falling into a disastrous spiral of civil war, sectarian division and disintegration. The Council's message should be united and clear: political solution can and must be found, violence is not the answer and those who continue to spoil the search for peace and obstruct the badly needed national dialogue in Yemen will face serious consequences.

We believe that an arms embargo against the spoilers and their associates, as well as designations of the Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi and former head of Republican Guard Ahmed Saleh will send a strong signal that the use of violence against peaceful transition in defiance of the Security Council resolutions will not be tolerated. At the same time, the Council must now make sure that both existing and new sanctions are vigorously and fully implemented by all.

The United Nations had been able to pull Yemen away from the brink before through its good offices and mediation. We must not forget that the United Nations’ role remains vital if a return to sustainable peace in Yemen is to stand any chance.

Thank you.