Sadly, one mortar shell appears to have “achieved” what repeatedly frustrated efforts at diplomatic resolution could not – get extended stay President Ali Saleh out of Yemen. However, neither is this likely to be the last shell fired nor is Saleh necessarily exiled forever. Diplomacy will have to play a role in order for a new political solution to be achieved without too much further bloodshed. So far the United Nations has implicitly delegated peacemaking efforts to the Gulf Cooperation Council, “GCC.” GCC diplomats have been subjected to double dealing from various angles. Well, welcome to diplomacy in action. Things though may be different now though that Saleh recovers in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Saudi Arabia is a member of the GCC, its largest and most powerful. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry was quick though to refer to its welcome of Saleh as a humanitarian/medical event, but also quickly designated the GCC as the primary mediator. (Yemen had suffered through civil war almost half a century earlier and was divided into two states, each a member of the UN for a short period of time). Saleh has been the more difficult party to manage in the diplomatic efforts by the GCC. However, it is Saleh’s family, tribe and close allies that may be presenting the greatest frustration to diplomacy: they have most to lose in the current prerogatives of power that they enjoy while perhaps risking freedom and life if they vacate. While Saleh might end up in relatively comfortable exile, his closes allies could end up in prisons at home or even staring into firing squads. Thus Saleh could end up needed by the GCC and even opposition to coerce and legitimize a political transition of power. From patient in a Saudi hospital, Saleh could become a hostage to diplomacy. Either way, Saleh’s departure from Yemen is neither likely to be the last move in what is to be complex regional as well as domestic maneuvering with GCC diplomacy only closer by proximity than the UN to bringing the various Yemeni political, tribal and elite interests together into a unified vision of the future. The UN is only to glad to let this hot potato bake in GCC hands, (as is envisioned by UN Charter to defer to regional organizations) in addressing “threats to international peace and security. However, if the situations unravels further, the UN Security Council may have to step in with Yemen’s pivotal geographic position and opportunity to be exploited for terror from within. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX Related Reports: “War Crimes Justice” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice Including – “Yemen Swaying Toward Civil War” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/yemen-swaying-toward-civil-war-by-ambassador-mo/28386