She also stressed that the United States coordinates closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and GCC's Arab States on issues related to security and common interests. Meehan continued by saying that in support of GCC actions taken by its member States to encounter the Houthi violence, President Obama has authorized the provision of logistical and intelligence support to GCC-led military operations. While U.S. forces are not taking direct military action in Yemen and we are working to form a Joint Planning Cell to coordinate U.S. military and intelligence support. She also pointed out that the United States continues to closely monitor terrorist threats posed by "Al-Qaeda" in the Arabian Peninsula and will continue to take action as necessary to disrupt continuing threats to the United States and its citizens. Meehan said: We strongly urge the Houthis to halt immediately their destabilizing attempts and military actions and return to negotiations as part of the political dialogue. The international community has spoken clearly through the UN Security Council and in other fora that the takeover of Yemen by an armed faction is unacceptable and that the legitimate political transition - long sought by the Yemeni people - can be accomplished only through political negotiations and a consensus agreement among all of the parties. --SPA 08:50 LOCAL TIME 05:50 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w