The Saudi Ministerial Council on Monday called on all Yemeni political forces to support the efforts of President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi to continue the implementation of a power transfer deal brokered by the GCC and backed by the US, media outlets reported.

In a statement at the end of its meeting, headed by Saudi King Abdullah, the Council stressed the importance of the power transfer deal to put an end to Yemen's problems, they said. The deal was signed in November after months of turmoil in Yemen.

The statement coincided with a strongly worded warning from the countries backing the deal including the GCC, the US and others to ex-president Saleh and his loyalists that international sanctions will be imposed against them if they hinder the deal and the UN resolution 2014.

Under the deal, Saleh was given full immunity from prosecution and his aides were given immunity but not from terrorist crimes.

The Saudi al-Madina newspaper quoted a diplomat who was not named, as saying the warning came after half-brother of Saleh resisted a decree by Hadi sacking him from his post as the commander of the Air Force, and reappointing him as an advisor to the Defense Minister.

Some senior commanders in the armed and security forces are still relatives of Saleh and those who are very loyal to him including his son, Ahmed, the commander of the republican guard.

After he was removed, Saleh's half-brother, Muhammad Saleh, refused to hand over the post to his successor and his supporters surrounded Sanaa International Airport threatening to shoot down any leaving or incoming planes. The airport suspended all flights on Saturday and reopened the next day.

Other commanders were also reported to have resisted Hadi's decrees, which come within reforms in the army.

Since he took office, Hadi has also fired other senior officials in civil offices, known as very loyal to Saleh.

All decrees have been applauded by the Yemeni people and other countries, especially those sponsoring the power transfer deal.