(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Pakistan's parliament yesterday voted to stay out of the conflict in Yemen, rejecting Saudi demands for Islamabad to join its military coalition against Shia Houthi rebels.
A unanimous resolution passed by a special session of parliament backed the government's commitment to protect Saudi Arabia's territory, which has so far not been threatened by the conflict.
But it said Pakistan should play a mediating role and not get involved in fighting in Yemen - turning down long-standing ally Riyadh's request for troops, ships and warplanes.
"Parliament of Pakistan... underscores the need for continued efforts by the government of Pakistan to find a peaceful resolution of the crisis," the resolution said. "(Parliament) desires that Pakistan should maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis."
The motion is not binding, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said last week that any Pakistani participation would need the backing of parliament.
Saudi Arabia played down the decision. "The presence of our Pakistani brothers would be an addition, but the lack of their ground, naval or air deployment will not affect the operations of the coalition," he added.
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