France calls for more pressure on Houthis to end attacks on Saudi Arabia

France called for greater pressure on Yemen's Houthis to end their attacks in the region, particularly against Saudi Arabia. "Our position is that it is necessary to increase pressure on the Houthis so that they put an end to their unacceptable attacks and provocations, particularly against Saudi territory, but not only there," spokesperson for the French foreign ministry Pascal Confavreux told a news conference on Friday. He was responding to a question on whether Paris backed the idea of the European Union designating the Houthis as a terrorist organisation. Saudi Arabia is pressing the EU to make the designation, but has yet to overcome European concerns that it could undermine a future peace process, Reuters reported, citing six European officials. Also on Thursday, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to extend Yemen-related sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, for another year, while demanding an end to the group's attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed the resolution on Friday. "This resolution represents a significant step in consolidating the international stance that rejects the treacherous Houthi attacks," GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said in a statement.