In response to a question, Asiri said the coalition forces have checked the activities of Al-Qaeda in their stronghold of Al-Makalla, citing their storming of prisons of the city and setting free the prisoners yesterday. He added that the forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh have paved the way for Al-Qaeda, allowing them to control banks and government offices and install check points. The coalition forces are currently assessing the situation. He denied press reports that Russian aircraft have airlifted former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh and dropped supplies and arms to Houthi militia's in Yemen, confirming that all evacuation operations including Russian dependents were done under the supervision of the coalition forces. Such information is either wrong or not accurate, he added. He said the objective of the coalition operation is to achieve geopolitical goals, including the restoration of legitimacy, including the legitimate president, and bringing about peace, security and stability to Yemen and not dealing with persons who might have committed crimes against the people of Yemen. Such trials will be held by the legitimate government later, he stated. Asked to verify requests by the Red Cross to have the war halted for 24 hours to pave the way for humanitarian relief works, Asiri said whenever the political leadership orders a stop, we are going to carry out the order. But so far, the coalition is aware that relief and humanitarian work is part of its mission. --SPA 23:59 LOCAL TIME 20:59 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w