CRI听力:Arab League Forms Joint Military Force to Fight Houthi Rebels

Arab leaders have made an agreement to create a joint military force in the battle against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

This comes following a meeting among Arab leaders this weekend in Egypt.

A Saudi-led coalition began a campaign on Thursday to try to hold back the Houthi forces that ousted President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

"Operation Decisive Storm will be stopped once the mission has been completed, and the reconstruction and reconciliation process will begin, with dialogue among all Yemenis - and of course the surrender of weapons," said Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin.

Nabil al-Araby is the Chief of the Arab League. "The Arab challenges have become obvious, as Yemen was on the brink of the abyss, requiring effective Arab and international moves after all means of reaching a peaceful resolution have been exhausted to end the Houthi coup and restore legitimacy. And this will continue until the Houthi militias have retreated and handed over their arms."

The proposed force would be made up of 40-thousand troops.

It's also going to be backed by jets, warships and light armour.

Shiite Houthi forces in Yemen now control much of the country after rising up late last year.

The uprising has forced Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the country.

Iran is said to be behind the Houthi offensive, raising the spectre of a regional conflict.

Iranian authorities have denied any involvement.