Alimi Heads to Europe to Coordinate Peace Efforts in Yemen

Arab World

February 12th, 8:02am

Aden -Ali Rabih

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, leaving Aden (Saba)

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, left Aden for Riyadh ahead of his European tour, including Belgium and Germany, to coordinate the stalled peace efforts with the Houthi militia. According to a source in the Yemeni presidency, Alimi was scheduled to hold discussions with senior European officials about bilateral relations, national developments, coordinating efforts to achieve peace, and ending the war and the human suffering created by the Iran-backed Houthi militia. The source stated that Alimi would participate in the "Munich Security Conference," where international leaders, heads of organizations, and officials would discuss the current security challenges and policies. The President and the seven members of the Council were struggling to fulfill the promises to rebuild institutions, achieve economic stability, provide services, restructure and unify government forces, complete state restoration, and end the Houthi coup, whether through peace or war. Earlier, Alimi met with the UN envoy, Hans Grundberg, before landing in Aden, where he renewed his commitment to the just and comprehensive peace approach. The Yemeni official asserted his support for regional and international efforts to push the Houthi militias to deal positively with all promising endeavors to launch an UN-led comprehensive political process that meets the aspirations of all Yemenis in restoring the state and achieving security and stability. He also affirmed the Council's keenness to provide all facilities to the UN envoy to fulfill his mandate, underlining full support for the envoy's efforts. Official sources noted that Alimi warned of the repercussions of the Houthis' actions against the private sector, the chambers of commerce, and the freedom of movement of individuals and goods between the governorates. He called for strict international positions to reduce the human suffering these militias seek to exacerbate with the support of the Iranian regime. Houthi militia is still rejecting proposals to renew and expand the truce, seeking new economic and political gains, including obtaining the largest share of the Yemeni oil revenues extracted from the liberated areas. The Houthi militia targeted the oil ports in Hadramout and Shabwa, impeding the sale of crude oil since last October. The UN envoy and European and regional parties are leading coordinated efforts, hoping to reach an agreement to renew the truce in Yemen to launch an inclusive political process leading to lasting peace.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4153226/alimi-heads-europe-coordinate-peace-efforts-yemen