Dubai: Yemeni talks progressed in Kuwait on Thursday and Friday as negotiation committees met to continue discussions on the principles and mechanisms of different aspects of a potential agreement.
Consultations in a general negotiation session on Friday between delegations representing warring parties in the country ended in Kuwait, during which both sides presented their evaluations on the work of specialised committees tasked with solving key issues in the conflict including security issues, political issues as well as prisoners kept by both sides. The consultations were held in the presence of United Nations Envoy Esmail Ould Cheikh Ahmad, Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported.
Among issues discussed were the return of state institutions to the government, a resumption of political dialogue, military and security issues, as well as the release of half of the prisoners held by each side before the start of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected in the beginning of June.
“In the [political] committee, the government elaborated on political and legal elements of its vision and I introduced some bridging proposals,” tweeted Ahmad.
In the security committee, he added, a UN expert presented an outline of steps and sequences for the implementation of security arrangements based on other countries, while the committee on prisoners discussed details of short- and long-term proposals for the release of prisoners and elements of the implementation mechanism.
“The humanitarian and economic situation [means an] agreement [is] needed soon. Parties should build on unprecedented international support for a solution,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minsiter Adel Al Jubeir took to Twitter with a conciliatory message for Al Houthi group, which overran the country in September 2015 and prompted a Saudi-led invasion of the country in March 2015. The minister instead highlighted the threat of terrorism that faced the country.
“Whether we agree or disagree with them, Al Houthis are part of the social fabric of Yemen,” he tweeted on Friday. “However, Al Qaida and Daesh are terrorist entities that must be confronted in Yemen and everywhere else.”
The minister also launched an Arabic hashtag that translates to: “Al Jubeir: Al Houthis are our neighbours,” triggering a debate with some supporting his position and others opposing it.
Since the talks with Al Houthis began in Kuwait, the Saudi-led coalition has focused its efforts on weeding out terrorist elements such as Al Qaida and Daesh from the country.
