Abu Dhabi: Yemen is heading for a political solution and negotiations towards a federal state will continue anytime and anywhere, the country’s foreign minister Abdul Malek Al Mekhlafi said.
Al Mekhlafi’s remarks were made during a press conference on the sidelines of the retreat of the Arab League’s foreign ministerial council, which was held on Monday at Saadiyat Resort in Abu Dhabi.
“The UN’s Special Envoy to Yemen will leave for Sana’a to convince rebel groups to sit at the negotiation table, which will in turn begin the process of building trust between all rival parties,” said Al Mekhlafi.
He pointed out that on the ground the rebels are no longer making progress, and are not welcome in the areas under their control where people are ready to take up arms against them.
He said that the Taiz siege by Al Houthis is still in place, stressing the Yemeni government’s willingness to provide food and medical assistance all over the country.
Al Mekhlafi pointed out that there is no future for the rebel groups and forces loyal to ousted Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who are disillusioned.
“There is no future for Saleh because the Yemeni people revolted against him and ousted him, while Al Houthis can form a political party, and lay down their weapons to be a part of the political process,” added Al Mekhlafi.
Meanwhile, the Arab League’s ministerial council held a retreat which was attended by Nabeel Al Arabi, Secretary General of the League, as well as Arab foreign ministers and heads of delegations.
The meeting discussed possible means to enhance the Arab joint action, and developing the structures and mechanisms to tackle crises and issues. It also touched on ways to counter challenges and dangers that threaten Arab countries, especially terrorism and foreign interventions in Arab countries’ domestic affairs, and their consequences on the future of security and stability in the region. The meeting also reviewed the impact of these challenges and the risks they present to the sovereignty, independence and national unity of Arab nations.
