Pakistan to react strongly on threat to Saudi Arabia's integrity: Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia and will react strongly if there is a threat to its integrity, but kept mum on Riyadh's request for military assistance to fight Houthi rebels in war-ravaged Yemen.

Making a policy statement on the Yemen crisis, days after parliament voted unanimously against military involvement in the war, Sharif tried to dispel the impression that Pakistan was dragging its feet on the issue of support to Gulf states.

"Pakistan does not abandon friends and strategic partners especially at a time when they are under threat," he said.

Sharif's statement came after the UAE condemned parliamentary vote by Pakistani lawmakers to not get militarily involved in the Yemen conflict.

Saudi Arabia had asked Pakistan to provide troops, jets and warship to its 10-nation coalition that has launched a military campaign in Yemen against the Houthis.

Pakistan's parliament last week voted unanimously against military involvement in the Yemen war, tacitly rejecting a call by oil-rich Saudi Arabia to become part of its coalition.

Sharif said Pakistan will increase its diplomatic efforts in consultation with Saudi Arabia to peacefully address Yemen crisis.

He also condemned the toppling of the elected Yemeni government by the rebels, saying the development has set a "dangerous example".

Sharif said that he has also conveyed to Iran to use its influence on the rebels to bring them to negotiations during Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's recent visit here.

The Prime Minister, however, kept mum on the issue of sending troops for Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels in Yemen.

Before making the policy statment, Sharif had called a crucial meeting of military and security officials.