Ankara welcomes Gulf state mediation in Yemen crisis

Turkey on Wednesday said it welcomed a proposal by Gulf states to mediate in growing tensions between Yemeni authorities and protesters, expressing hope that the initiative will bring about a nationwide consensus. A Foreign Ministry statement said Turkey is concerned about the tension in Yemen and expressed deep regret over casualties there. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are trying to broker a deal to have Yemen's president step down and hand over power, possibly to an interim council of tribal and political leaders. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), consisting of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, invited the government and opposition representatives on Monday to talks in Saudi Arabia, at a date yet to be set.