Saudi Arabia and the UAE Sunday sought to dispel any notion of a rift over fighting in southern Yemen, renewing a call for dialogue between the warring sides. Yemen's Saudi-backed government was ousted last month from key areas in the south by United Arab Emirates-supported southern separatists, exposing simmering divisions that analysts say undermines the joint campaign against Iran-linked Huthi rebels.

But in a joint statement released by both countries' state media, the Gulf powers sought to appear united, as they "reaffirmed continued support for the legitimate government of Yemen". The two countries called on the warring parties to immediately cease "all military operations" and "stop media propaganda" that fuels hostilities, the statement added.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2019