NEW YORK, January 23, 2019, SPA --The United Arab Emirates has condemned Iran’s interference in the Middle East, accusing Iran of creating more tension and instability in the region and posing a serious threat to the stability of the Middle East. The UAE called on the international community and the Security Council to seriously pressure Iran to end its interference and support for terrorist and sectarian militias in Arab countries. At the UN Security Council’s quarterly Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Saud Al Shamsi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, delivered the UAE’s statement at the debate, saying, "The conflicts in Yemen and Syria clearly show that Iran is the common perpetrator. Iran has created more tension and instability in our region, posing a serious threat to the stability of the Middle East. We therefore call on the international community and the Security Council to seriously pressure Iran to end its interference and support for terrorist and sectarian militias in Arab countries." Mr. Al Shamsi pointed out that Iranian-backed Houthis have repeatedly committed transgressions including heinous crimes against the Yemeni people, threats to the security and stability of neighboring states and international navigation, and looting of humanitarian aid. To this end, he called on the Security Council to take firm and decisive action against Houthis. --SPA 14:12 LOCAL TIME 11:12 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w824950