Yemen projects on hold, ambassador says

China's ongoing cooperative programs in Yemen "have come to a halt" because of the turmoil in the Middle East country, China's Ambassador to Yemen Tian Qi said on Thursday.

Tian made the remark during a news conference in Beijing, saying the government will closely monitor the developing situation. Any further action will be based on the way the situation develops, Tian said.

Yemen has been devastated by a brutal civil war. The already dire situation became even more critical in late March when Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi rebels with the participation of other Gulf states.