Arab leaders say military strikes in Yemen will continue until rebels withdraw, surrender arms


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SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (AP) — Arab leaders say Saudi-led airstrikes against Shiite rebels in Yemen will continue until the Houthis "withdraw and surrender their weapons."

At an Arab League summit in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, the leaders also agreed in principle to forming a joint military force. Asked at a news conference to explain vague references to "foreign powers" being behind conflicts in different Arab nations, Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby mentioned "meddling by some neighbors," including Israel, Turkey and Iran.

A Saudi general says the air campaign has pushed the rebels out of contested air bases and destroyed any jet fighters remaining in Yemen. He says the strikes also continue to target Scud missiles, destroying most of their launching pads. However, he warns that the rebels could have more missiles.

Yemen's foreign minister says the strikes have prevented the rebels from using planes they seized to attack Yemeni cities or using missiles to attack neighboring Saudi Arabia. He says the campaign has also has Iran's supply line to the rebels.

%@AP Links

125-c-20-(Brian Rohan (ROW'-ehn), AP correspondent)-"used against terrorism"-AP correspondent Brian Rohan reports the Arab League has given the coalition of Arab countries a green light to continue airstrikes on Yemen. (29 Mar 2015)

<<CUT *125 (03/29/15)££ 00:20 "used against terrorism"

126-c-14-(Brian Rohan (ROW'-ehn), AP correspondent)-"off against Iran"-AP correspondent Brian Rohan reports the decision could put the Arab League on a confrontation course with Iran. (29 Mar 2015)

<<CUT *126 (03/29/15)££ 00:14 "off against Iran"

127-c-17-(Brian Rohan (ROW'-ehn), AP correspondent)-"countries support him"-AP correspondent Brian Rohan reports any of the proposed joint military forces would consist of up to 40,000 elite troops but it's not clear how it would operate. (29 Mar 2015)

<<CUT *127 (03/29/15)££ 00:17 "countries support him"

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