Arab, international support for Saudi Arabia’s Yemen peace initiative
Yemen government also welcomes move to end six-year-conflict
Abu Dhabi: Several countries and organisations affirmed their support for the Saudi initiative to end the crisis in Yemen and reach a comprehensive political agreement.
They called on the legitimate government and the Al Houthis to accept the initiative, overcome the existing obstacles, in order to launch talks between the Yemeni parties to reach the desired political solution.
Saudi Arabia presented on Monday a new peace initiative to end the war, including a nationwide ceasefire under UN supervision, the reopening of Sana’a airport, allowing fuel and food imports through Hodeidah port and restarting political negotiations between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Al Houthis.
Yemen’s internationally-recognised government welcomed the initiative to end the six-year-old conflict, a statement from its foreign ministry said.
United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq said the organisation welcomed the new initiative, which is consistent with UN efforts.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for the initiative and reach a comprehensive political agreement. Egypt also welcomed the initiative.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government also welcomed the move to end the six-year-old conflict, a statement from its foreign ministry said.
Al Houthis have demanded the lifting of an air and sea blockade, which has contributed to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen, as their main pre-condition before any peace deal.
The Saudi-led coalition has said the port and airport must be restricted to prevent weapons from reaching the Al Houthis, who control the capital and most populous areas.
For his part, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi affirmed Amman’s full support for the initiative.
“We affirm our full support for the initiative announced by sisterly Saudi Arabia, an integrated proposal in line with international legitimacy decisions to reach a comprehensive political agreement that ends the Yemeni crisis, protects brotherly Yemen, stops the suffering of its dear people, and enhances security and stability,” Safadi said in a tweet.
The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “support for the noble initiative announced by Saudi Arabia, to cease fire in Yemen under the supervision of the United Nations, in order to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis.”
The UAE lauded Saudi Arabia’s initiative to end the crisis.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, expressed the UAE’s support.
Sheikh Abdullah said the initiative was a valuable opportunity to pave the way for a lasting political solution.
Qatar said it welcomed “all initiatives and efforts aimed at ending the war in Yemen and putting an end to the tragedy experienced by the Yemeni people,” expressing its aspiration for the comprehensive political path and national reconciliation to be the path, around which all actors in t Yemen and the international community as a whole are united, to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people in security, stability and prosperity.
In the same context, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, affirmed that the Saudi initiative “reflects the sincere desire to end the Yemeni crisis.” He explained that this initiative also reflects “the great concern for the Yemeni people of all sects to enjoy security and stability after years of war as a result of the Al Houthi coup against the legitimate government, as well as Iran’s continued interference and support for militias.”
The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Dr. Yousef Al Othaimeen, also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiative “to end the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political solution through a comprehensive ceasefire under the supervision of the United Nations, and in the context of the continuous support for the efforts of the UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths and the US envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking, as well as the positive role of Oman.