Khalid bin Salman: Restoring Yemen’s Stability, Institutions among Saudi Arabia’s Top Priorities

Arab World

April 27th, 4:59am

London – Badr al-Qahtani

Saudi military vehicles patrol Aden after Yemen separatists declared self-rule in the south of the country. (AFP)

The Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen underscored the need for returning the situation to back how it used to be after the Southern Transitional Council declared Sunday self-rule over the country's south. It stressed on Monday the need annul any step that violates the Riyadh Agreement, which received wide international support, and instead work on speeding up its implementation. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan tweeted: “The Riyadh Agreement, guarantees political cooperation for the interests of the Yemeni people, and is backed by the UN and the international community.” “We call for restoring the conditions in Aden as they were before the STC statement, and to implement the Riyadh Agreement.” “We in (Saudi Arabia) and United Arab Emirates strongly believe that the internationally backed Riyadh Agreement has guaranteed an opportunity for the brotherly Yemeni people to live in peace,” Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said in a tweet. “We reject any hostilities that will jeopardize the safety and stability of Yemen.” Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman tweeted that the Arab coalition statement, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, underscores its constant commitment towards the security and stability of Yemen. “During these challenging global times, leaders in Aden must realize their historic responsibility to keep the Yemeni people safe, and more violence will not achieve that. The Riyadh Agreement, which is backed by the international community, must be implemented,” he urged. “We urge all parties in Aden to put the Yemeni people first and abide by commitments made in the Riyadh Agreement last November. KSA and UAE reaffirm that the agreement represents the only way forward, and we hope parties will observe their commitments” he added. Restoring the security and stability of Yemen are among Saudi Arabia’s top priorities, stressed Prince Khalid. Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber said the Riyadh Agreement was a “practical solution to preserve Yemen’s stability and restore its institutions.” “Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other members of the coalition have always sought the interests of the Yemeni people and they are constantly exerting efforts to implement the agreement and bridge divides between the two parties,” he said. “They will continue their efforts until the Yemeni people reach peace, security and stability.” The legitimate Yemeni government declared the STC’s announcement of self-rule in the South as a coup against the Riyadh Agreement. It condemned it as a continuation of the armed rebellion, noting that six provinces and local authorities have rejected the announcement and sided with the legitimate government. The STC is a political movement that was formed in 2017. Its members describe it as an extension of the southern separatist movement that was formed after the 1994 war. The council has accused the government of shirking its responsibilities in implementing the Riyadh Agreement. Government officials, on the other hand, have said that they have not been able to return to Aden and resume their duties. The government slammed the STC announcement as an attempt to “escape blame from its failure to serve the people in Aden given the lack of services after all state institutions have been obstructed and the government has been prevented from practicing its duties.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2254716/khalid-bin-salman-restoring-yemen%E2%80%99s-stability-institutions-among-saudi-arabia%E2%80%99s