UNITED NATIONS - In a 14-0 vote, with Russia abstaining, the UN Security Council on Tuesday demanded " all parties in Yemen, in particular the Houthis .. refrain from actions that could undermine the political transition .. unconditionally end the use of violence" and imposed an arms embargo on the rebels.

The measure was introduced by Jordan, which serves in the presidency of the council this month, and supported by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The United Nations recognizes President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who replaced strongman Ali Abdullahh Saleh after massive protest demonstration in 2011. The latter is aligned with the Houthis.

Yemen has been suffering from political unrest and clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd- Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country. Saudi Arabia, the seat of Sunni Islam, supports Hadi against the Shia Houthis. Iran supports the Houthis, setting up a major Middle East clash of powers. On March 26, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched airstrikes on the Shiite Houthi group that has seized parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and is closing in on the southern port city of Aden, while Iran has dispatched naval vessels and has been charged with providing weapons for the Houthis.

Tuesday's Resolution 2216, carrying the weight of international law and the threat of military action for non-compliance, "demands that all Yemeni parties, in particular the Houthis, fully implement resolution 2201 (and), refrain from further unilateral actions that could undermine the political transition in Yemen."

Security Council Resolution 2201, approved in February, denounced Houthi attempts to take over government institutions and urged acceleration of negotiations to breach a political deadlock. The latest measure echoed those concerns.

Tuesday's Resolution further demanded that the Houthis " immediately and unconditionally" end the use of violence, withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the national capital of Sana'a, relinquish all additional arms seized from military and security institutions, including missile systems, and "cease all actions that are exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Government of Yemen."

The resolution called on UN member states to block arms shipments to supply the Houthis by preventing "the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to, or for the benefit of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim, Abd Al-Khaliq Al-Huthi and their supporters," referring to the deposed president and two rebel commanders.

"The resolution is extremely important for restoring stability in Yemen and promoting a political solution," China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Liu Jieyi said after the vote. "There is no military solution and political negotiation is the only way out."

"The hostilities in Yemen, if allowed to continue, will not only plunge the people in Yemen into profound calamity but also spill over to affect the entire region," said Liu. "China is profoundly worried about the recent development in Yemen."

Liu said that China wants to see implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions by all parties and agree on a cease-fire. He also urged the parties to restore stability and normal order as soon as possible through dialogue in order to promote an inclusive political transition led by the people of Yemen.

China hopes all the parties will meet the requirements of the resolution, attach importance to the humanitarian problems on the ground in order to have the aid delivered, assist the evacuation of foreign citizens and ensure the protection of diplomats in Yemen, said Liu.

The resolution contained a paragraph calling for the safe evacuation of foreign nationals from Yemen.

"China supports the United Nations in its mediation role for a political solution and calls upon the parties to ease the tension and facilitate the humanitarian situation and play a constructive role," he said, adding that "China is ready to join the international community in its unremitting efforts for a political settlement."

Russia's Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow abstained because the resolution is "not fully in line with the requirements which were put forth into the international community conditioned by the crisis in this country."

He explained that "constructive proposals of the Russian delegation" were not taken into account by the drafters of the measures, including "requirements" for all sides "to swiftly halt fire and begin peace talks."

"There is no due reflection in the resolution on the difficult consequences for civilians in Yemen due to fighting, nor is there clear enough expression in a statement of obligations as well as regular humanitarian pauses" in the fighting, he said.