The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affirmed its full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, headed by President Rashad al-Alimi, and its efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen and reach a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the agreed-upon references.

This came in a statement issued by the 161st session of the Ministerial Council, held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Monday, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who is also the current Chairman of the Ministerial Council, and with the participation of the foreign ministers of the GCC countries.

The Council welcomed the continued efforts of Saudi Arabia and Oman to revive the political process, calling on the Houthi militia to engage positively with international efforts to end the Yemeni crisis.

The Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the United Nations and its Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, praising the Yemeni government’s commitment to renewing the humanitarian truce and calling on the Houthi militia to fulfill its obligations to cease fire and improve living conditions.

Furthermore, the Council called for a firm stance against the Houthi militia’s practices, expressing concern over developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and stressing the importance of de-escalation and respect for freedom of navigation.

The Council praised the Saudi, Emirati, and Kuwaiti support for Yemen in the electricity and air transportation sectors, commending the efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

The Council also praised the achievements of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the efforts of Project (MASAM) for clearing mines.

The Council welcomed the de-escalation agreement in the banking sector and Yemeni airlines, calling on the Houthis to immediately release all detainees from the United Nations, embassies, and international organizations.

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During its fifth session of the fourth ordinary session of the third legislative term, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo, the Arab Parliament, with the participation of members of the Arab Parliament, members of the House of Representatives, Abdul Wahab Muawwadah, Alawi Al-Basha bin Zubei, and Insaf Mayo, affirmed its full support for the decisions and decisive measures taken by the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government regarding transportation, the economy, maintaining financial and monetary stability, and protecting financial and banking institutions from the tampering of the Houthi terrorist militia.

At the conclusion of its fifth session, the Arab Parliament strongly condemned the threats made by the Houthi terrorist militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to target ports, airports, and civilian objects, which confirms the destructive approach of these militias and their insistence on aborting all efforts made to help Yemen emerge from its crisis, their insistence on prolonging the war in the region, and endangering regional and international peace and security.

The statement expressed regret over the faltering of negotiations regarding the prisoners and detainees file, which were recently held in the Sultanate of Oman, due to the intransigence of the Houthi terrorist militia in releasing the prisoners and detainees. It called on the international community and the UN envoy to assume their humanitarian responsibilities and complete negotiations on the humanitarian file of prisoners and detainees.

Source: https://www.sabanew.net/story/ar/114063

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The minister, Al-Zindani, mentioned an agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis to hold a series of meetings aimed at prisoner exchange in Jordan. But he claimed that the Houthi militia has repeatedly backed out of these meetings at the last minute.

He described the American involvement in Yemen as a continuation of past efforts, working alongside UN initiatives to find a solution to the conflict. He emphasized the importance of reviewing and evaluating the factors that contributed to the crisis in Yemen when considering any future peace process.

Al-Zindani argued that the Houthi takeover of power was an ideologically driven coup, aimed at excluding all other Yemeni forces. This move was fueled by their belief in a divine right to rule, coupled with external support from foreign powers.

The Yemeni government, represented by the Presidential Leadership Council and its chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, is committed to peace, prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people who are burdened by an unjustified war.

He asserted that the Houthis lack the political will and sincere intention to renounce violence, end the war, and engage in a peace process that prioritizes the interests of the Yemeni people.

Regarding the future of Yemen’s political system, Al-Zindani noted that it’s premature to discuss this topic at present, as the Yemeni government has yet to receive the US envoy’s proposed roadmap.

Road Map

Al-Zindani acknowledged the substantial efforts invested in developing a roadmap for peace, thanks to persistent endeavors by Saudi Arabia and Oman. However, he explained that the implementation of this roadmap has been halted and all related activities suspended due to escalating events in the Red Sea.

He emphasized that achieving peace is a core objective for the Yemeni government, which will work diligently with the international community to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Yemen crisis.

The Foreign Minister also downplayed the Houthis’ military capabilities, describing the perception of their strength as exaggerated.

He also stressed that the Yemeni government is committed to working to restore state authority in areas controlled by the Houthis. No party within the legitimate government will accept the Houthis’ reality or tolerate them, or allow them to continue their efforts related to the coup. There may be disagreements and differences, but there is still a common consensus on the one goal by the Presidential Leadership Council.

He noted that the Palestinian cause remains steadfast and non-negotiable in all circumstances, especially when talking about the Yemeni people who instinctively stand with the Palestinian cause and consider it their central cause.

Yemenis have been harmed by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea

He explained that Yemeni citizens have been directly affected by these actions carried out by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Moreover, this situation has also affected many allied countries, especially Egypt, as about 50% of the ships passing through the Suez Canal have been obstructed.

He asserted that there is no legitimate or illegitimate government. Rather, there is one government in Yemen, which is the government recognized by the international community.

The Yemeni government recognizes the importance of international legitimacy and adheres to the decisions of the UN Security Council, at the forefront of which is Resolution 2216 issued under Chapter VII. This resolution is based on the fact that there is a threat to international peace and security.

Yemen and Iran

The minister explained that Iran’s policy reflects the policies of the ruling regime in Iran, and is not dependent on specific individuals. Therefore, the death of Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi will not affect Iran’s fixed strategy, which primarily focuses on regional expansion.

Opening channels of communication with the Iranian side to address the crisis is considered a natural step in the future, especially in light of the policies and diplomacy adopted.

It cannot be said that the international community is ignoring Yemen’s situation, as the country is receiving humanitarian aid from international organizations. However, this humanitarian aid does not match the scale of the tragedy that the Yemeni people are actually living through.

The Houthi group is operating outside the framework of the Yemeni government and is carrying out acts aimed at secession and division. Therefore, the Southern Transitional Council is an integral part of the Yemeni (Shari’ya) authority.

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