New York: Yemen has urged the international community "to quickly intervene by land forces to save" the country, specifically in the cities of Aden and Taiz, according to a letter sent to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.

The letter from Yemen's UN Ambassador Khaled Alyemany, seen by Reuters, could provide legal cover for such a move.

The plea was sent as the country's exiled foreign minister urged Saudi Arabia to step up its military intervention in the country and save the southern port of Aden from a renewed rebel onslaught.