"We continue to support the Saudi-led action in Yemen that's in response to the legitimate request from President [Abd Rabbuh Mansur] Hadi," UK deputy permanent representative, Peter Wilson, told reporters.
The UN Security Council began an urgent session on Saturday after Russia urged the 15-member body to assemble to address the devastating humanitarian impact on the Yemeni population. Moscow submitted a resolution calling for a "humanitarian pause" in Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.
"Any civilian casualties and all civilian casualties are ones that we deeply regret," Wilson said. But he stressed that anti-government rebels, the Shiite Houthi opposition, were to blame.
"It is extremely important to remember how we got to this position. We got to this position because the Houthis, over and over again, violated ceasefires, took military action, took action by force instead of engaging in a genuine way in political talks," he said, adding the only way out was through "a return to genuine political talks."
The Houthis have controlled most of Yemen since they overran the capital city of Sanaa in September and toppled the Yemeni government, eventually forcing Saudi-backed President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee the country earlier this year.
At request of the displaced Yemeni president, Saudi Arabia rallied its allies to carry out airstrikes against rebel positions in Yemen, starting March 25. UN estimates that hostilities killed 519 people, including 90 children, over the past two weeks.
