President Dr. Rashad Mohammad Al-Alimi, President of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest on Monday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 12th World Urban Forum, which kicked off in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

The discussions between the two presidents covered developments in Yemen, the regional situation, and its economic and security implications, including updates in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and efforts aimed at de-escalation, restoring stability, and ensuring the security of international navigation.

President Al-Alimi briefed President El-Sisi on recent regional and international mediation efforts to launch a political process under United Nations auspices, in light of the ongoing intransigence of the Iran-backed Houthi militia. He affirmed the Yemeni government’s openness to various peace initiatives based on the comprehensive solution references agreed upon nationally, regionally, and internationally, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

The President expressed appreciation for Egypt’s supportive stance toward Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, government, and people, and their aspirations to restore state institutions, peace, stability, and development.

On behalf of the council members, the government, and the Yemeni people, President Al-Alimi extended profound gratitude to the Egyptian leadership, government, and people for hosting hundreds of thousands of Yemenis who found a safe haven in Egypt, away from the violence of the Houthi militia and the devastations of war.

President Al-Alimi congratulated President El-Sisi on Egypt’s developmental and urban revival and on the successful organization of the World Urban Forum. He expressed confidence that the forum would represent an important addition as a major global event on urbanization and development.

For his part, President El-Sisi, reiterated Egypt’s support for Yemen’s unity and stability and endorsed international efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political solution in Yemen. He emphasized the importance of Yemen’s security and stability to Egypt and its role in the security of the Arab region and the Red Sea, particularly in light of the current regional security tensions.

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Major General Aidaroos Qassem Al-Zubaidi, member of the Presidential Leadership Council, received at his residence in New York City on Thursday, Andreas Kravik, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

The meeting discussed the latest political and humanitarian developments in our country amidst the Houthi escalation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and its implications on the humanitarian and service situation in our country.

In this regard, Major General Al-Zubaidi emphasized that, “The Houthi escalation against international shipping lanes is piracy and systematic terrorism with no connection to the Palestinian cause; it’s an Iranian scheme to blackmail the region and the world to fulfill Iran’s expansionist agenda in the region.”

Major General Al-Zubaidi highlighted the severity of the situation due to the continued efforts by the terrorist Houthi militia to destabilize the region, noting that the available information confirms coordination between the Houthi militia and Al-Shabaab, the arm of Al-Qaeda in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. This situation requires a comprehensive local, regional, and international strategy to counter the plan being executed by this militia on Iran’s instructions.

For his part, the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed Norway’s support for the efforts made by the regional and international communities to end the conflict in our country and protect international shipping lanes.

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Member of the Presidential Leadership Council, Tariq Saleh, discussed on Thursday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance cooperation between them at various levels.

The meeting, held in the Russian capital, Moscow, also discussed a number of issues of common interest, foremost of which is the need to exert collective international efforts to advance peace initiatives in Yemen, involve all parties under the auspices of the United Nations, brothers, and international friends, and the importance of unified international action to achieve regional stability and protect maritime security, especially in the Red Sea.

The member of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Russian Foreign Minister reviewed viewpoints on the various regional challenges and support for the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people, stressing the importance of continued coordination and consultation to enhance partnership and support mutual interests between the two countries, as well as support for the reactivation of the Yemeni-Russian joint committees.

Tariq Saleh praised Moscow’s steadfast support for Yemen, welcoming Russia’s decision to reopen its embassy in Yemen in the temporary capital, Aden, stressing the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and the Presidential Leadership Council’s commitment to strengthening and developing them. He called on the Russian side to reconsider the suspension of study invitations for Yemeni students in Russia.

For his part, the Russian Foreign Minister affirmed Moscow’s support for the legitimate leadership in Yemen and for peace efforts led by the United Nations, pointing to Russia’s decision to reopen its embassy in Aden to improve communication and coordination with the Yemeni government.

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