EU High Representative Catherine Ashton is following with concern the developments around the Ministry of Defence in Sanaa, coming two weeks after the looting of the Ministry of Interior, Michael Mann, spokesman of Ashton, said in a statement today.

"It is important that any demands relating to social or working conditions are expressed and furthered by purely peaceful means," he said in a statement.

Ashton called on all parties to respect the state institutions and ensure the full implementation of the decrees issued by President Abdul-Rab Mansour Al-Hadi, which are consistent with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and UN Security Council Resolution 2051.