UAE welcomes Yemen's restoring sovereignty over Hanish islands

The United Arab Emirates on Monday welcomed the decision of the international arbitration committee concerning the dispute between Yemen and Eritrea over the Hanish Islands in the Red Sea.

In a statement it released in this respect, the UAE council praised the logic followed by the two countries in accepting international arbitration, a matter which averted armed conflict in the strategic Red Sea region, preserved the two countries' capacities and strengthened peace and security in the region.

The international arbitration committee has given Yemen sovereignty over the islands of Zaqar Mountain, Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish. Conflict between the two countries developed in December 1995 into an armed confrontation.